Team India fans were ecstatic when the Blue Tigers put up a spirited performance in the first half against Australia in their opening game of the ongoing AFC Asian Cup. But in the early stages of the second half, a howler from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, India’s goalkeeper, left fans shocked and heartbroken. India’s hard work was undone by that mistake. Gurpreet, the Bengaluru FC goalkeeper, came for a cross which he could have grabbed easily with both hands but flapped at it. Jackson Irvine put the chance away via a deflection off Gurpreet’s body.
The match ended 2-0 in favour of Australia, but fans were quick to point out that mistake as the turning point of the match. There were claims that the scoreline could have been different if that mistake had been avoided. Gurpreet, on Sunday, came up with an acknowledgement of his mistake while thanking his teammates and fans on social media platforms.
On X, he wrote: “I know we lost the game and I’ll put my hand up taking responsibility for what could’ve been avoided and be dealt better. The team did really well against a WC side, we take the positives and learn from the experience. Big shoutout to the amazing fans who came in numbers.”
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I know we lost the game and I’ll put my hand up taking responsibility for what could’ve been avoided and be dealt better. The team did really well against a WC side , we take the positives and learn from the experience. Big shoutout to the amazing fans who came in numbers #India pic.twitter.com/Hw681vfVCo
— Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (@GurpreetGK) January 14, 2024
Over a decade, he has been so good for the national side that apart from a notable error against Bangladesh in 2019, it is hard to find any howlers from him. Who can forget his effort against Qatar in 2019 where he saved 11 shots and earned a point for his country? At club level, he has occasionally made silly mistakes, like the error in the 2023 Super Cup final and a heavy touch in this season’s ISL opener against Kerala Blasters.
The saves he made in the Australia match should also be appreciated, though, whether it was against free kicks or coming off his line to smother the ball at Australian feet. Mistakes can happen anytime with anyone, but he remains India’s No. 1 keeper and one of the most respected and senior players in this squad. There have been many instances where the very elite goalkeepers across the globe have failed to avoid howlers on the biggest stages or on the most important days of their careers.
Luis Arconada (Spain vs France, Euro 1984 Final)
It was the 1984 UEFA Euro Championship final, where France defeated Spain 2-0 to lift the title. But the way Spain’s Luis Arconada conceded the first goal, a free kick from Michael Platini, is still fresh in the memory among football fans. It was Platini’s ninth goal in that edition as he managed a low curving shot around the wall. Arconada fumbled it and the ball slipped under his body and into the net. The Spanish goalkeeper was known for his bravery, leadership qualities, and consistency. His athleticism, speed, shot-stopping ability, reflexes, footwork and acrobatic style made him one of the best Spanish goalkeepers of all time. But, that day, his fumble cost Spain a European title!
Manuel Neuer (Germany vs South Korea, 2018 World Cup)
Manuel Neuer is known for his ability to charge well outside his penalty box and has built a reputation as a ‘sweeper-keeper’. But, in the last group game against South Korea at the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the German keeper made a horrible mistake that cost them the match. The 2014 World Cup winners needed to win that game in order to qualify for the knockout stages. It was 1-0 in favour of the Koreans until the seventh minute of injury time. Neuer was in or around the Korean penalty area when he received a ball. Then, he tried to cut back inside Ju Se-jong but easily got robbed. Ju’s long pass found Son Heung-min and the Spurs star scored into the empty net. Neuer was standing in disbelief 80 yards away and Germany got knocked out of the event, finishing bottom of their group.
David de Gea (Spain vs Portugal, 2018 World Cup)
In 2018, David de Gea went to the FIFA World Cup as one of the best goalkeepers in the world. The former Manchester United goalie was in excellent form at the time, but against Portugal, he failed to live up to his reputation by conceding three goals. The second goal left those watching shocked. Cristiano Ronaldo shot directly at him from the top of the penalty box. De Gea was expected to grab it with ease but he let the ball slip through his grasp and into goal.
Iker Casillas (Spain vs Netherlands, 2014 World Cup)
This was one of the few nightmarish outings for Iker Casillas in his illustrious career. Spain, the 2010 FIFA World Cup champions, were the favourites to defend the title in 2014. But the Netherlands took revenge for the 2010 final loss by humiliating them 5-1. Casillas was responsible for four of those five goals due to his miscommunication with the defenders and mistimed, misjudged forays. The fourth goal that he conceded, he failed to control the ball with his left foot and Robin Van Persie snatched it to put it in the back of the net. The Spanish goalie also issued an apology after that disastrous performance.
Petr Cech (Czech Republic vs Greece, Euro 2012)
At the 2012 Euro Championship, this was a Group A clash between the Czech Republic and Greece. Petr Cech was one of the best keepers and was known for his calmness in critical situations. But, in the second half, he made a mess of catching a cross. He let the ball slip and Dimitris Salpingidis executed a simple tap-in. It was an embarrassing moment for a highly-rated goalkeeper like Cech. However, the Czechs managed to win the game 2-1.
Rob Green (England vs USA, 2010 World Cup)
England were held to a 1-1 draw against the USA in the Group C clash at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, courtesy of a howler from Rob Green. Steven Gerrard had opened the scoring for England in the fourth minute. But, in the 40th minute, Clint Dempsey attempted an optimistic long-ranger. Green should have gathered it easily but made a mess of it. Green let the ball go through his gloves and though he tried to scramble back, he couldn’t prevent it going over the goal line. That mistake cost England three points and, as a result, Green was dropped for the subsequent matches. David James replaced him in the lineup for the next two group games and the Round-of-16 clash against Germany.
Any player can have such forgettable moments, but they do not define them. Gurpreet needs to put the Australia game behind him and be ready to put up his best efforts in the games against Uzbekistan and Syria. India’s fans should back him like never before because these next two games are definite ones for his career and legacy.
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