Interview with Robin Singh: "I will create my own identity"
Robin Singh made his debut in Indian football in the 2010/11 season with East Bengal club. After spending a relatively successful stint with the Kolkata giants, Singh joined new I-League franchise Bengaluru FC last season.
He has also played for Indian national side and was a part of the U-23 squad which visited Doha this for the Asian games.
Robin Singh hails from Noida. He is a product of the premier Tata Football Academy in Jamshedpur.
Q – You have been in the Indian football scenario for quite some time now. Explain your journey.
Yes, I have been playing for quite some time now in India. I had a 3 year stint at East Bengal. I had a mixed experience. People doubted my abilities. Some even said that I can’t play football. Then, last year I joined Bengaluru FC. We won the title. I scored goals and contributed to the success. I had to prove a lot of things to a lot of people. I am still learning.
Q – Do you think you missed out on playing in the ISL?
I missed playing football. Whether its Indian Super League or I-League, it does not matter to me. I love to play. The little child inside me wants to play football all the time. I would love to play in the tournament in the future. It may happen next or the succeeding year, let’s see.
Q – How do you think the Indian super league will benefit Indian Football?
Indian Super League is the best thing which happened to Indian football. There were quality foreigners who played in the tournament. The quality of football was really good. I am sure the Indian footballers benefited a lot from the experience. The best thing about Indian Super League is it brought Indian football back to the world football map.
Q – You have played under two British coaches in your career. Describe their role in building your career.
Both the coaches helped me a lot. I am fortunate enough to play under a coach like Ashley Westwood. He is exceptional. His professional approach, his dedication is some I look up to. He guides me a lot, gives me scope to play. It has been a splendid journey so far under Ashley.
Q – Tell us more about your journey with Bengaluru FC so far?
Well, what can I say? In the very first season, we won the I-League. The credit goes to the entire team. From the players to the coach and his support staffs to the cooks who prepared our meals. It is a team effort. The team is passionate dedicated and unified. The coach is the first person to come to the ground for the practice and is the last person to leave the field. It has been a learning process for me in this team. We hope to perform with equal zeal in the upcoming seasons as well.
Q – What according to you are the reasons for the recent bad performances of Indian football team? What do you think is needed to get it back on track?
I would say the Indian team is going through a transition phase. Most of the players in the current Indian side are juniors except a few. Wim Koevermans had been experimenting with various young players. We are all learning and hopefully we will perform well soon for the national team. I myself am young. I will be 24 this year. So we need time to prove ourselves.
Q – You are the only Indian forward shining bright in Indian football after Sunil Chhetri. Why aren't we able to find more quality strikers?
Well, the problem mainly lies with the approach. Most of the teams prefer international players in the striking zone over Indians. I don’t why. I am well-built and capable of playing in the first teams. But the clubs for some reason opt for foreigners in the striking zone. Ashley thankfully trusted us and kept faith on us Indians. I really appreciate that. For my success, I give credit to Tata Football Academy where I learned to play football.
Q – What are your aims for this season, I-League or AFC qualifiers? The schedule as usual will be crunch.
Yes, the schedule is crunch. But we will give equal importance to every tournament. We had a very good pre-season and our fitness levels are very high. We are monitored by the coaching staff on an everyday basis by the coaches and analysed accordingly. AFC qualifiers are obviously a very big thing for us. We will try and win games.
Q – Which are the teams you think will give Bengaluru FC a tough challenge in this year’s title defending campaign?
Every team is equally tough and good. From Shillong Lajong FC to East Bengal, each and every team is good. We have to fight hard to defend the I-league title. I am confident we can do that. We have defeated each and every team in India last season except East Bengal. We would love to conquer that front too this season by defeating them.
Q – One Indian footballer you look up to and one foreign player
If I have to look up to a foreign star it has to be Cristiano Ronaldo. I love and adore his game. His passion his dedication is something I look up to. I proudly say that I am a Cristiano Ronaldo fan.
Among Indian if I have to choose someone it is I, Robin Singh. I will create my own identity.