If I was 5'ft four, I wouldn't save that penalty for sure" : Gurpreet Singh Sandhu after India v/s Lebanon match

"After India defeated Lebanon 4-2 on penalties and made their way into consecutive SAFF Championship finals, we take a look at what India's goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and man of the match from last night's match have to say about the victory and the saves he made during the match and how he saved the first penalty in the shootout.

Gurpreet Singh's interview

The game was pretty evenly tied up between Lebanon and India as we all expected and Gurpreet was in the middle of it, who kept India in the game by making a world class save before the half time. When asked if this victory was one of the best moments in his career, this is what he has to say, "Definitely playing at home is always special and another magical light over here showing resilience." He also added, "This team is doing really good and the amount of work that we have put him in the last 56 weeks is showing not in terms of, the grid, the determination, the fight is something that I'm really proud". "Making teams bow down and base time is something which we as a team have not done before" is one of the statements from Gurpreet's interview where you truly feel how proud and motivated he's for his country.

When asked about his mentality of not giving up and, making sure everything is secured at the back and not stop creating or converting chanches, this is what he had to say, "I think we has chances in all parts of the game, the first half, second half, even in extra time, we had chances, all those situations and all I want to do the shooting, not his job to be too easy to beat me." He also said its important to "Stay until the last moment".

When asked about any specific blueprint that the Indian football team practices so when they're put in these situations they don't feel nervous, this is what he had to say. "Obviously you can't save every one of them, but it makes me, you know what penalty taker is thinking of player of maybe positions, so I'm glad that I got such kind of experience." He also added that experience and vitality helped him in those crucial situations and that penalty save." If I was 5 ft four, I wouldn't save that penalty for sure.", Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

He said how Mehtab Singh and other defenders has stepped up in Sandesh Jhingan's absence and also gave them credit for not conceding many chances on the road. "So it was all hard work that they put in showing everyone that given chances, they will take the responsibility." he added.

This is what he had to say when he was asked about his plan against a striker like Hassan Maatouk whose penalty he saved.
"My job is to not make a pre - decided move because like you said, a big game player like that, a good player like that, if he sees a keeper who is a bit shaky or is cheating, he will put the ball on the other side. My job was to stat forward and make sure that I trust my abilities when called upon."

India is prepared to face Kuwait in SAFF Championship final and Gurpreet Singh would like to again showcase his class and win India the trophy. Both the teams have met before in the group stages but that matched ended in a 1-1 draw. This time around there has to be a winner.

Also take a look at this article.