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We Must Play Higher Ranked Teams - JCT and India U-23 Midfielder Baldeep Junior
The India U-23 midfielder speaks to Goal.com...
29-Nov-2009 1:36:08 PM
Baldeep Singh, better known as Baldeep Junior, amongst football circles is one of the most important players at JCT and now, the India U-23 side. But the name 'Junior' attached to his name sounds strange?
"We had another player by the name Baldeep Singh at JCT, who has now joined Salgaocar SC. To avoid confusion, I was referred as 'Junior'," explained Baldeep.
"It's good to be a junior and consider oneself such. It's good for the temperament as it keeps you level headed," laughed the JCT number 27.
Having already played for the India senior team in the AFC Challenge Cup last year, Baldeep isn't new to the national team set-up as his first call was before the last SAFF Cup in Maldives, where he couldn't go due to an injury.
"I also played for the India U-19 team for a year."
But the journey wasn't smooth for this Punjabi boy as he started his football days playing as a defender. While he still slots in for JCT as a full-back, his versatility makes him an even more important asset for the SAFF Cup side.
"As a child, I joined the Mahalpur Academy and played there for two years before joining the JCT Academy. I play as a full-back, right wing, and in the central midfield as well."
Baldeep's got his footballing lessons from several JCT players who hailed from his village and would grab the opportunity to train with those players in the off-season to polish his game.
"From the Panjaur village, we had Kuldeep, who is now at JCT as one of the coaches, the two brothers - Baljit and Daljit Singh. When they would come to the village, we would play together and that inspired me a lot. The guidance given to me by them has been enormous in my development as a player," said the 22 year old.
Focussing on the SAFF Cup, the midfielder opines that they have a good group of boys who can deliver the results expected from them under the guidance of Bob Houghton and Sukhwinder Singh.
"They (Bob and Sukhwinder) think that we can do well and that gives us the confidence. We'll give our all," said Bikka, who idolizes Climax Lawrence like most players in the Indian circuit.
"The way Climax plays - his touches, his through balls, tackling is very good. He does what's expected of him and that's his greatest strength."
On being questioned about the direction Indian football would or should take in the coming years, Baldeep agreed with Bob Houghton's view of the national team doing well at the international level which shall get the necessary eyeballs.
"We must play against teams who are a little higher ranked than us. If we draw or win, our ranking will shoot up which is good for us. We all know that people follow anything that's successful. So therein lies the secret," said Baldeep.
Stats:
Ht - 177 cm
DOB: 2/6/1987
Nickname : Bikka
Rahul Bali
"We had another player by the name Baldeep Singh at JCT, who has now joined Salgaocar SC. To avoid confusion, I was referred as 'Junior'," explained Baldeep.
"It's good to be a junior and consider oneself such. It's good for the temperament as it keeps you level headed," laughed the JCT number 27.
Having already played for the India senior team in the AFC Challenge Cup last year, Baldeep isn't new to the national team set-up as his first call was before the last SAFF Cup in Maldives, where he couldn't go due to an injury.
"I also played for the India U-19 team for a year."
But the journey wasn't smooth for this Punjabi boy as he started his football days playing as a defender. While he still slots in for JCT as a full-back, his versatility makes him an even more important asset for the SAFF Cup side.
"As a child, I joined the Mahalpur Academy and played there for two years before joining the JCT Academy. I play as a full-back, right wing, and in the central midfield as well."
Baldeep's got his footballing lessons from several JCT players who hailed from his village and would grab the opportunity to train with those players in the off-season to polish his game.
"From the Panjaur village, we had Kuldeep, who is now at JCT as one of the coaches, the two brothers - Baljit and Daljit Singh. When they would come to the village, we would play together and that inspired me a lot. The guidance given to me by them has been enormous in my development as a player," said the 22 year old.
Focussing on the SAFF Cup, the midfielder opines that they have a good group of boys who can deliver the results expected from them under the guidance of Bob Houghton and Sukhwinder Singh.
"They (Bob and Sukhwinder) think that we can do well and that gives us the confidence. We'll give our all," said Bikka, who idolizes Climax Lawrence like most players in the Indian circuit.
"The way Climax plays - his touches, his through balls, tackling is very good. He does what's expected of him and that's his greatest strength."
On being questioned about the direction Indian football would or should take in the coming years, Baldeep agreed with Bob Houghton's view of the national team doing well at the international level which shall get the necessary eyeballs.
"We must play against teams who are a little higher ranked than us. If we draw or win, our ranking will shoot up which is good for us. We all know that people follow anything that's successful. So therein lies the secret," said Baldeep.
Stats:
Ht - 177 cm
DOB: 2/6/1987
Nickname : Bikka
Rahul Bali
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