Team India 2011 Awards: Goalkeeper Of The Year

Goalcom has a look at the exploits of the best goalkeepers this calender year,

followed by its verdict...

An eventful year in Indian football has now come to a close. From competing against the elite nations of Asia in January to the country’s FIFA ranking plummeting further, it has been a year of ups and downs for football in the country.

With India having completed all its assignments for the year, Goal.com recognizes the individual performers who have earned laurels for Indian football and offered a tinge of hope to the long suffering football fans in India.

 

1  Subrata Paul
Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Pune FC

The Pune FC custodian was easily the best Indian player during the Asian Cup. Dubbed the “Spiderman” by sections of the foreign media for his brilliant display in-between the sticks during the continental mega-event, Paul formed a formidable last line of defence. Infact India might have conceded close to double the tally of 13 goals they eventually leaked in the competition, if the former East Bengal goalkeeper had not been in peak form.

After the Asian Cup, Paul returned to lead a Pune FC revival in the second half of the last I-League season, bringing stability with his commanding presence in the Red Lizard’s defence.

The second half of the year though has been frustrating for Paul, as an injury sustained in the Federation Cup group tie against East Bengal has seen him sidelined for the rest of the year.

2  Karanjit Singh

Age: 25
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: Salgaocar SC

Just a few months back, an injury to Subrata Paul would have spelled instant doom for the Indian National team, such was the dearth of reliable goalkeepers in India. However Karanjit Singh’s rise to the top has mirrored that of his club Salgaocar SC, as after having proven his mettle with the Goan side in the last I-League season, he has stepped in for a previously suspended and then injured Subrata Paul with consummate ease.

Singh has continued to be in peak form for his club this season as well and signed off from the national duty for the year with a brilliant showing in the SAFF Championship, especially during the group stages, when his command of the box and calm temperament were a far cry from the chaos in-front of him.

3  Gurpreet Singh Sandhu
Age: 19
Position: Goalkeeper
Club: East Bengal

The young goalkeeper is one for the future, but has already started featuring in Indian senior team squads and was part of the SAFF Championship team as well.

The tall and lanky goalkeeper shot to fame with his displays in goal for Pailan Arrows, where although he made some naïve errors, his command of the penalty box and sharp reflexes showed that with time and correct guidance, he could be moulded into a fine goalkeeper.

Sharing first team duties at East Bengal with Sandip Nandy this season, Gurpreet has a long way to go before he can consider himself in the class of Subrata Paul and Karanjit Singh but the signs are promising indeed

Goalkeeper Of The Year

The fact that India have not really missed Subrata Paul while he has been out injured is perhaps the biggest compliment one could pay the Salgaocar custodian.

He really showed his class during the SAFF Championship and has proven time and again that he does not suffer from the loss of concentration that often blights the game of Indian goalkeepers.

If he continues in this vein, Paul might well find himself on the bench when he returns to full fitness.

Posted in: Team Inidia . GK of the Year 2011