Very healthy competition between keepers at FC Goa: Arshdeep

Panaji: Two days before the away clash, Manolo Marquez was discussing the FC Goa team to take on Chennaiyin FC and the first name on the list was Arshdeep Singh.

It wasn’t the head coach’s decision alone. Members of the coaching staff also nodded in agreement.

The Goa goalkeeper has started all four games for the club in this season’s Indian Super League (ISL), a welcome change from last season when he guarded the goal for just two games. He’s looked in good touch too, keeping Dheeraj Singh and Hrithik Tiwari on the bench.

“He is playing at a very good level,” Manolo told TOI during the pre-match media interaction. “It’s true you have to speak with Dheeraj and Hrithik about these situations, but I’ve had this all my life. Goalkeeper is a specific position. You cannot play right wing or right back. We are confident (about the goalkeepers). It’s a position we don’t have problems in the team.”

At 26, Arshdeep is the senior-most goalkeeper at Goa. Dheeraj is 23 and Hrithik just 21. “Three good goalkeepers with different styles but very good qualities and room for improvement,” said Manolo.

The Spanish coach’s faith in Arshdeep augurs well for the goalkeeper who’s trying to hold on to his place. Dheeraj, now into his fourth season at Goa, was a star at the FIFA under-17 World Cup 2017 and AFC Champions League 2021. He has more matches under his belt in ISL, has been with the national team too.

“It’s a very healthy competition,” said Arshdeep. “All of us push each other in training to be the best. That’s how it should be. We are all giving our best, trying our best.

“As for the goals, I am just focusing on the games now. Obviously, I want to be in the national team someday soon, but for now the focus is on the next game.”

The next one is against Chennaiyin FC, a tricky one away, given the former ISL champions’ wins in the last two games after three losses at the start. Arshdeep knows it won’t be easy for him or the team.

“They are a strong team with good rhythm (after the wins). They will go all out. We have to be very focused because no match is easy. We will give our best,” said Arshdeep.