Mumbai City custodian Amrinder Singh was content with the way Mumbai City FC fought till the end when conceding that it was injuries that eventually led them to slide from the top-four spots.
“Of course we’d accidents in between (Paulo Machado, Serge Kevyn, Amine Chermiti, etc) but I’m happy that we fought until the last moment. It had been very hard without key players,” Amrinder informed Goal.
“With the improvement in the ISL over time, the past season was quite demanding and we faced very good players and we fought until the final game in the season. Another favorable sign in our group was that, regardless of the injuries, we always stayed positive, which is something we ought to take pride ”
Amrinder has been with Mumbai City within the past 3 decades and is regarded as one of the principal contenders to Gurpreet Singh Sandhu’s throne as India number one.
Speaking about the growing rivalry with Gurpreet ever since, Amrinder said,”This is a fantastic thing for both Gurpreet and me, in addition to Indian football. I believe the rivalry is healthy. It a good thing that people give every other contest and I am also pleased to induce him to improve himself.
“We’re good friends off the field and we frequently discuss the mistakes we make and how we can improve. We do not hide what we confront the pitch to be able to help each other improve.
“Apart from our own contest, particularly in the national group, several junior goalkeepers who approaching are also forcing us to improve and step up our game.”
The recently concluded ISL year has seen goalkeepers committing a fair few errors. Amrinder, however, feels that stress and too little rest between the matches are leading to the same.
“I think everybody has the pressure to improve themselves and maintain their degree and the ISL isn’t a simple league. Mostly ISL games occur in quick succession also. So we must remain physically in addition to emotionally prepared for each and every game,” he said.
Mumbai City chose to run with just one overseas stopper back in Mato Grgic last season – a decision which didn’t help the group in the future with Jorge Costa forced to field an all-Indian backline on several occasions because of injury problems for Grgic. But, Amrinder has whole-heartedly endorsed Indian players that have stepped up and performed in these scenarios.
“I’ve been here for three decades. Everybody’s mentality has been quite great. In football, players continue moving from club to club and we need to be ready for these kinds of situations. Mato performed well last season. You’ve noticed how the Indian players also have improved and a lot of players have made it into the (Indian) national group.
“I think this is an excellent indication that Indian players are stepping up their game. Since the ISL has started, they’ve played along-side superior players, their reading of the sport and decision making has improved.
“Indian players will also be preserving themselves quite well as professionals. So these tiny things count for a lot in the development of Indian players,” he concluded.
