New Delhi: India’s first-choice goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh expressed confidence Tuesday that the hard work he has put in and the sacrifices he made will be rewarded in the form of impressive performances in the FIFA U-17 World Cup which starts October 6.
“All my days of sacrifice and hard work will be rewarded and I am very much excited to be a part of the first Indian team to feature in a FIFA World Cup,” Dheeraj said.
Dheeraj, who hails from Moirang in Bishnupur district, said he prefers to strike a balance between aggressive and composed goalkeeping.
“You have to pick your moments and chose what type of goalkeeping will suit the moment. Sometimes being aggressive can lead to difficulties and even you can concede a ‘soft’ goal. Sometimes being composed and sound helps. For a keeper, both ways of goalkeeping are important,” pointed out Dheeraj.
Asked how tough a goalkeeper’s job is, Dheeraj asserted that one should never lose concentration. “Staying in the moment is the job of a goalkeeper and a slight lack of focus or concentration can easily lead to a goal,” Dheeraj informed.
“Goalkeepers are the last line of defence and it makes the job all the more tough when there is a pressure of performing in every single game,” he added.
India will be up against some of the top teams in the world, but Dheeraj is prepared for the challenge. “It is a challenge that I am prepared for. We respect our opponents but as a goalkeeper it is my job to be the hardest barrier the opponents face and I will try my best to prevent them from scoring a goal,” he added.