Defender Sandesh Jhingan Spoke To Us Ahead Of His Hometown Club, Minerva Punjab FC’s Visit To The Fortress. Excerpts…
On the Blues’ current run of form…
We’ve not had the best of results for a couple of weeks but the team is positive. What I’ve noticed here at BFC is that we’re always encouraged and the belief is that we can bounce back. As the champions, our fans have high expectations from us and now that things aren’t going our way. This makes it more important that we stand up, be responsible and show character.
On playing Minerva Punjab FC…
I know most of the players and the owners at Minerva Punjab FC but at the end of the day, any soft corner I have for them vanishes when the whistle is blown. If I’m on the pitch, I’m going for the win regardless of which team we’re up against and it won’t be any different on Saturday.
On how he started out as a footballer…
I started out with a tennis ball back home when I was very young. To be honest, I wanted to be a footballer but at that time we didn’t know much about Indian football. When I joined the national side as a 15-year-old and traveled out of Punjab, that’s when I got inspired.
I remember when I first shook hands with Baichung bhaiin Goa, I didn’t wash my hands for a while. It was an honor to meet him and Bob (Houghton) sir and that’s when I realized I want to go all out and be a footballer.
On being sidelined through injury…
As a footballer, it’s not a good feeling to be sidelined. We’ve had a few injury problems and suspensions in defence and I haven’t been able to contribute, which is a little frustrating. I wanted to be a part of that AFC Champions League game which was one of my main aims when I joined BFC. But, that’s football. I still have that hunger and I’m going to give my best when the chance comes to me.
A message for the fans…
The fans are very important at any football club. We’ve seen them travel to Goa and to Pune and we get all the messages that they send us on social media. Everyone knows how they pump us up. It’s famous how Steven Gerrard said that hearing the fans outside in the stands at half-time against AC Milan in the Champions League final inspired his team. It’s the same on any football pitch.
The way these fans have welcomed me is very rare. I’d only joined the team but they were singing my name when I came on against Mumbai. As long as they’re shouting out there in the stands, we’ll be giving our best.
