India’s star goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, is preparing with the national team in Hyderabad for the upcoming friendly against Malaysia on November 18. As the senior-most player after Sunil Chhetri’s retirement, Sandhu, who reached 75 international caps last month, is eager to make the most of this last FIFA window before the crucial Asian Cup qualifiers.

“It’s great to have time to work as a team and get familiar with the new system under our coach,” Sandhu said during a virtual press interaction on Wednesday.

Reflecting on Past Matches, Focused on the Future

The last time India faced Malaysia, they lost 2-4 in the Merdeka Tournament. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu felt the score didn’t reflect India’s performance and is hopeful for a better outcome at home.

“They’re a strong team, but we’ve learned from that game,” Sandhu said. “We’re ready to start fresh and give our best here in Hyderabad.”

He also spoke about the competitive atmosphere in the national team, particularly among goalkeepers. “It’s a privilege to play for India,” he said. “With goalkeepers like Amrinder Singh and Vishal Kaith, the competition pushes all of us. It’s all about teamwork.”

Sandhu has set his sights on helping India qualify for a third straight AFC Asian Cup. “Qualifying is a must for us. With every camp, we’re getting closer to what our coach wants us to be, and I’m confident we’ll be ready for the qualifiers.”

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