The Indian Super League season could not have gone any better for both Mumbai City FC and Bipin Singh. The 26-year-old Manipuri winger who scored the winner against ATK Mohun Bagan in the ISL finals will now make his debut for the Indian national team as he has been included in the final 27 man squad that will camp in Dubai and play the upcoming friendlies.
Bipin has been relentless this season for Sergio Lobera’s men as he played a pivotal role in them achieving the Asian Champions League qualification followed by winning the ISL title. However, life has not stopped for the 26-year old as his focus shifts to the national team. The former Shillong Lajong man shares how he failed in several age groups trials and had the dream of playing for India.
I was once rejected for U-14 National Team trials in Goa. I had dreamt of playing for India but eventually never made the cut,” he pauses. “Later, when I saw the junior boys getting that many matches against foreign teams and travelling all over, I felt a bit jealous,” he told in an interview with AIFF.
“I’ve worked very hard for this call-up. I have no words to thank coach Igor Stimac. I need to pay him back, as much I am extremely grateful to my club coach Sergio Lobera for his confidence in me.”
Despite scoring six goals along with four assists this season which includes the winner, Bipin also became the only player to register a hattrick this season. However the 26-year old feels that all his achievements are now in the past and he needs to continue playing well to be in the reckoning.
“But all of that is in the past. The match-winner in the final is past tense, so is the hat-trick. It doesn’t guarantee me more goals in the future. But yeah, they motivate me — reminding me of my abilities. But my hardest task lies ahead,” he added.
“Life for a footballer is not just about goals. You look at a goalkeeper. He is so crucial, perhaps the most important player. So you can never measure a player’s abilities by the goals scored,” Bipin asserts. “At the moment, I am just on the list of probables. Let me get into the final 23, and then take the next step to the XI. Nothing is guaranteed in life.”
The Blue Tigers are set to prepare a training camp in Dubai as they will take on Oman and UAE in friendly encounters. The Mumbai City FC winger understands the importance of playing friendlies and feels that they will be a part of a learning curve. “Oman and UAE are strong teams. It will be a big test for all of us as much as the camp will be a learning curve for me. As footballers, we learn at every step,” Bipin Singh concluded.
