AFC Cup 2019: Minerva Punjab keeper Arshdeep Singh picks up serious injury, set to undergo surgery

The 22-year-old is said to have suffered several fractures and was admitted to the ICU.

In an unfortunate turn of events, Minerva Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh was gravely injured and was rushed to hospital after he suffered a blow to his face, following a head-on collission with Chennaiyin FC's CK Vineeth on Wednesday.

The incident took place in the sixth minute during the two sides' AFC Cup Group E game at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. The club later confirmed that the 22-year-old had suffered 'multiple fractures' and was admitted to the ICU, pending surgery on Thursday.

Our star goalkeeper @arshsaini56 was badly injured today with multiple fractures and was rushed to the hospital where he is now in the ICU & will undergo surgery tomorrow. The Minerva family wishes for his speedy recovery and hopes that he is back on the fields very soon ! pic.twitter.com/w9RTnBLy8d

— MINERVA PUNJAB FC (@minervapunjabfc) June 19, 2019

Following Singh's injury, substitute goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy was brought in by the Warriors, who took charge under the bar for the rest of the game.

An on-rushing Vineeth collided with the Minerva Punjab goalkeeper, as the former's knee smashed into the latter's face. Singh was given brief treatment on the pitch, before being rushed to hospital.

Today my 22 year old warrior @arshsaini56 of @minervapunjabfc in @AFCCup against @ChennaiyinFC had 2 be rushed to hospital after a serious collision(5 minutes in)& is in ICU/has multiple fractures in the nose which require surgery-he is bravery personified(rare in GKs these days)

— Ranjit Bajaj (@THE_RanjitBajaj) June 19, 2019

Minerva Punjab scored through Samuel Lalmuanpuia in the 62nd minute, however, Mohammed Rafi scored the equalizer in the 90th minute to keep Chennaiyin from losing the match. The Warriors currently sit in third position in the group, with five points from as many games. They are followed Dhaka Abahani and Chennaiyin FC in the first two places respectively. The northerners face Dhaka Abahani in their final group stage game on 26 June.

Update: The goalkeeper is out of danger, however, will have to undergo a surgery at the hospital.