Bengaluru: JSW Bengaluru’s most recent signing, India goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh, was delighted with his clean sheet as the Indian side ran out 3-0 winners over DPR Korea’s 4.25 SC in the first leg of the AFC Cup Inter-Zone semi-final on Wednesday.
A downpour began shortly before kick-off at Sree Kanteerava Stadium and got gradually heavier as the match went on, making conditions extremely tough for the two teams, but it was Sunil Chhetri who opened the scoring from the spot with a ‘Panenka’ just after the half hour.
Udanta Singh and Lenny Rodrigues added a further two in the second half, and the commanding three-goal advantage the 2016 AFC Cup runners-up will take to Pyongyang in three weeks’ time was made all the more sweet by Singh’s debut shut-out.
“Of course it was very important that we didn’t concede any goals then also try to score. That put pressure on them and I think it was a very good job done by all my teammates,” said Singh, who twice dealt superbly with high crosses into the box in the dying minutes in torrential rain.
“I think I just had to make sure I made the right call [on the crosses] and relieve some pressure on the team, especially in those crucial moments, as I needed to help my team out. I’m very happy.”
Singh is the latest in a spate of new signings for the hosts after they brought him back to his homeland following three years with Norwegian side Stabaek.
The custodian was one of five players in the starting line-up who were making their competitive bow for the two-time I-League champions.
And, cheered on by a vocal home support, the new-look team put in a solid display to make themselves clear favourites to advance to the Inter-Zone final against either Tajikistan’s FC Istiklol or Ceres Negros of the Philippines.
“It was just as I expected, especially from the fans,” added Singh when asked about his first appearance for The Blues.
“It’s a great environment and they [the fans] pushed us throughout the game, supported us all the way through, and that’s what we needed.”
“There were crucial moments in the first and second halves, and breaking the deadlock gave us the momentum.
“What they [the team] do is fight for each other, love playing football, love winning and appreciate each other’s efforts.”
Photos: Lagardère Sports
Source: the-afc.com