ISL 2017: Mumbai City FC's Amrinder Singh opens up about facing former side Bengaluru FC

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Amrinder Singh

What’s the story?

One of most promising goalkeepers in the country, Amrinder Singh had to choose between Bengaluru FC and Mumbai City FC when the former switched from the I-League to the Indian Super League (ISL).

In the end, the Punjab lad went on to opt for the Ranbir Kapoor-owned team. When asked about the feeling of facing his old club in the very first match of ISL 2017 on November 19, Amrinder said that it would be like any other normal match for him.

In a Mumbai City FC press conference, arranged on Thursday ahead of their departure to Bengaluru, he was asked about the prospect of him facing his beloved club.

Like a thorough professional he replied, “I have had great memories of the times I spent at Kanteerava and it's great for me that I am starting this season over there. But things like these happen in a professional footballer’s life."

In case you didn’t know

Since 2016, Amrinder had been a regular starter in Bengaluru FC’s goal, when they were part of the I-league, whereas he featured in Mumbai City FC colours last season in the ISL.

Now that BFC decided to switch to ISL, Amrinder had to settle for one side. He was retained by Mumbai for a huge sum of Rs 1 crore and 20 lakhs.

The heart of the matter

The keeper added that he could not keep on dwelling on the fact that he chose one club over the other because in the future also, he may have to move somewhere else.

He also said that he is excited about the match but he would treat it like any other game.

What’s next?

Amrinder has earned equal praise for his performances in both I-League and ISL. While he won the Best Goal-keeper award in I-League, his ISL clean sheets for Mumbai gave him the Golden Glove award.

There’s a reason why Mumbai have put their full faith in him and Amrinder is most likely to grab the headlines again in this ISL, simply because his performance graph has only gone upward over the years.

Author’s take

Amrinder should be credited for the attitude he has shown while choosing a club. Situations like these can trouble someone mentally because that player also has to opt between two fan groups but exhibiting the attitude of a professional, has helped the ‘keeper stay in a positive frame of mind.

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