Goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh, who terminated his contract with FC Goa earlier this month to sign a deal with Hyderabad FC, was one of the few experienced players to start for them in their maiden ISL 2024-25 match against Bengaluru FC on Thursday, September 19.
While the Nawabs were hammered by three goals by the Blues at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the former displayed flashes of brilliance in pieces and were able to keep the deficit to just one goal till the 86th minute, until the legendary Sunil Chhetri added two more to bury the match.
Arshdeep was instrumental in leading the Hyderabad backline in this game, and is expected to do so for the rest of the season as well. His communication with his defenders, to go with his impeccable distribution and positioning won him plaudits from the travelling Hyderabad supporters who painted the eastern wing of the stadium in yellow and black.
Sitting down for a chat with IFTWC, Arshdeep mentioned how deeply the loss has affected the team and why the boys will be quick to bounce back. The former Minerva Punjab and Odisha FC goalkeeper also pointed out that although Hyderabad lack experience, they have a lot of potential, and that things are bound to get better as the season progresses.
“It was not a good feeling to lose that game. We have a very young team. We trained for just ten days before the game against Bengaluru FC, but the boys displayed a lot of class and character. There are quite a few positives from this defeat, and we must take them in our stride and move forward,” said a visibly distraught Arshdeep.
“I made a couple of mistakes towards the end” – Arshdeep Singh
Not a lot of people have it in them to admit their mistakes, but the 27-year-old was quick to own up to the lapse in concentration that allowed Goa to earn a couple of corners towards the dying stages of the game.
“I made a couple of mistakes towards the end and conceded corners. But it was not just me, the others in our defence also erred towards the end. However, it is not because of a lack of skill; I think it was purely due to the lack of experience that we have. Having said that, I feel that the boys have a lot of potential. We are going to do very well as time progresses – there are surely a lot of positives,” he added.
How could a conversation with Arshdeep not be complete without asking the billion-dollar question, namely what made him move to Hyderabad FC after signing a contract extension with FC Goa till 2025-26?
The Chandigarh-born shot-stopper was one of the stars of the Gaurs in the 2023-24 ISL season, starting in fifteen games and accumulating seven clean sheets in the process. He was in constant competition with fellow keeper Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem at the Fatorda, but eventually edged the latter out in head coach Manolo Marquez’s good books.
However, Goa sprung a surprise on their supporters by bringing former custodian Laxmikant Kattimani back to the club in the summer transfer window. The arrival of the 35-year-old was bound to shake things up a tad, and Arshdeep’s future at the club as a regular starter looked in doubt.
“I felt that coming to Hyderabad FC would be the better option for me because FC Goa signed Laxmikant Kattimani. He is a respected goalkeeper who has already worked with coach Manolo Marquez (ironically at Hyderabad FC) in the past. Hence, I felt that it would be the right move for me to come here to get more game time. I feel that I can also add a bit of experience to the squad and help the boys,” Arshdeep signed off.
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