We are on right path, says Gurpreet

Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, the only Indian player to play in the UEFA Europa League, says the national football team is on the right track. The shot-stopper who last wore the captain's armband when the Blue Tigers recorded a memorable 4-1 win over Thailand in their opening match of the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019 said in a media interaction that "we are on the right track."

India plays North Korea in their second match of the Intercontinental Cup on Saturday. "We have grown a lot, especially in the last 5 years. I have personally seen the young talent that we have. Our youth teams – the U16s, U15s -- the players possess great technical abilities, and have great awareness. The senior players have grown in terms of their mentalities as well," he stated.

With ex-Croatia manager Igor Stimac, head coach of the Blue Tigers having handed nine International debuts in the three matches so far, Gurpreet hailed the impact of the new faces in the team. "Having young blood in the team is very important. I feel that the youngsters who have come in through the system are very talented. They are very technically able players who are confident and know how to play with the ball. It's a really good sight. I hope they lead us through the years to come," he quipped.

Gurpreet also spoke about the need for him to "lead by example," which is something he learned from his seniors. "The role that the young players have in the team is something very important. What I have learned from my seniors -- Sunil (Chhetri) bhai and Subrata (Pal) bhai is to lead by example, and make sure you are trying to do the right thing. It is how young people learn and it is important for me. Sandesh (Jhingan) and Sunil bhai, who has been doing it for so many years, to lead by example."