Star goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh believes anything is possible in football after a gritty India held Asian champions Qatar to a goalless draw in a FIFA World Cup Round 2 qualifying match here.
Despite playing without their talismanic captain Sunil Chhetri, who was laid low by fever, the young Indians denied Qatar, who won the Asian Cup title in January, any goal despite the home side managing more than a dozen shots on target on Tuesday night.
“I feel extremely proud of the team for our performance against Qatar,” said Gurpreet, who also worn the captain’s armband in the absence Chhetri.
“The team-effort helped us achieve the result. It will help us immensely in the qualifiers.
“We have played just two matches, and we have played well, that too against two powerful teams. It gives us that added motivation and confidence that in football, anything is possible,” he added.
Custodian Gurpreet, who was unbeatable under the Indian bar, credited the entire team for stealing an unexpected point from the away match.
“Everyone played their hearts out, and gave everything out on the pitch. That enabled us to come back to the dressing room, satisfied, and with a very crucial point,” he said.
Following a heartbreaking 1-2 loss against Oman in Guwahati five days ago, the draw earned India their first point in the ongoing qualifiers. While Qatar are still leading the pack with four points from two matches, India are currently at the fourth spot with one point from two matches.
Gurpreet also thanked the Indian fans, who had turned up in large numbers.
“It was like playing at home away from home. The support was incredible. They spurred us on, cheering us all throughout,” he said.
India will host Bangladesh in their next match of the qualifiers on October 15.
