Khel Now logo
HomeSportsIPL 2025Live Score
Advertisement

ISL- Indian Super League

Exclusive: Arshdeep Singh reflects on Hyderabad FC journey, early career, and fan support

Preethi has been a Khel Now correspondent for Hyderabad FC since 2024.
Published at :May 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Modified at :May 17, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Post Featured

Arshdeep Singh had signed for the Nawabs earlier in September this year.

After facing a challenging previous season in the Indian Super League (ISL), ending at the bottom of the league with just a single win, Hyderabad FC were rescued from financial instability by the Jindal group’s ownership. The team’s next season saw them initially under the management of Thangboi Singto, followed by Shameel Chembakath taking the reins over in the second half.

Goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh’s career has seen him develop from the Minerva academy, play for Minerva Punjab FC and Odisha FC, and notably have an outstanding season with FC Goa before his recent switch to the Nawabs. Hyderabad FC secured the services of goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh on the deadline day of the transfer window.

Arshdeep sat down for an interview where he spoke covering a huge range of topics from his initial days to the fans support at Hyderabad FC.

Struggles that he had to undergo to reach the ISL

When talking about what it takes to reach the professional leagues, Arshdeep emphasized the importance of daily discipline over any single, grand sacrifice. He believes that consistently sticking to a professional routine and maintaining focus on continuous improvement are the key drivers of success.

He shared, “I know that many young goalkeepers dream of playing at a professional level, but I wouldn’t say I had to make any huge sacrifices, In fact I think it’s a blessing for a professional player to be where I am today and it’s a sweet sacrifice maybe but yeah you need to constantly be travelling, and be on the pitch and you can’t go out much and all that but that’s part of the game. You don’t need to be there, you just need to keep training, I wouldn’t call it a sacrifice, but I think a little discipline and consistency takes you a long way.”

He concluded that sticking to a routine and having focus is more important than just making huge sacrifices.

Lessons learnt from playing in the lower divisions

Exclusive: Hyderabad FC's Arshdeep Singh talks about Nizams, initial days of career, fans and more

Starting his football journey with Minerva Punjab FC, Arshdeep stated that the experience he gained at the club was very helpful in exposing him to competitive football and shaping his early years in the world of Indian football.

He stated, “I think when you start from a lower division, like I started from second division and then I started playing as a professional you end up learning a lot of stuff, I think that’s a very important thing for a player to get that experience as well because you know it shapes you especially where you come from and the experience by getting game time during the matches day by day and match by match, that helps you a lot in improving your overall game.”

ALSO READ: ISL: Top five managers with highest win percentage

Arshdeep Singh opens on long road through recovery

Arshdeep recalled the terrible feeling of being sidelined with an injury in the first half of the season, a period where he really wanted to contribute to Hyderabad FC. He also said he was grateful for the strong support from his teammates, during his recovery.

He stated, “Yes, Unfortunately I picked up an injury earlier in the season and I personally think for a player it’s the most difficult thing to get injured and be out of the pitch, it’s always hard to sit out and watch your team play and you can’t help your team, that’s a very difficult phase for anyone.”

He added, “It really is a terrible feeling but that is a part of the game and my teammates have always supported me even during the recovery and that was the sweetest thing and it feels great when you come back and you get to help your team to win, I think that’s the best feeling I guess and I’m very happy to have contributed well for my team.”

Arshdeep credits a disciplined approach behind his consistency

Arshdeep, who got back on the pitch soon after recovering from an injury, spoke about the important role of discipline and consistency in overcoming setbacks during rehabilitation after an injury.

He stated, “Like I already said I believe that consistency and discipline are important, even if you’re recovering. Additionally I think training well and having a positive mentality is what drives you forward sometimes because a good performance is all what we train for and I think I’m just doing my job and that’s what I want to do, I want to be consistent in every game and I hope I continue doing it.”

Arshdeep Singh believes calmness key to handling the pressure

When questioned about how he manages pressure during matches, Arshdeep explained that his primary focus is on his own performance rather than the other conditions.

He shared, “I think when you go on to the pitch you don’t think much about how you’re going to face the ball and all but you’re just ready for anything, when you play against any opponent you’re just ready for anything and mentally I try to stay calm.”

He added, “I just think about the game that I want to perform well and my main aim would always be wanting to try to help my team and physically I would say just try to rest as much as I can before the game and not think much about it but be prepared for anything that comes your way.”

Responsibility of being one of the senior players at Hyderabad FC

Given that Hyderabad FC play with a relatively younger squad, Arshdeep shared his thoughts on being able to offer guidance and support to the younger members of the squad.

He stated, “I think it’s a little surprising that I am one of the most senior players, obviously Karanjit Paaji and Lenny Paaji are there to guide us but when I think of it I think I try to just guide the players as much as I can and try to make the team atmosphere as positive as it can be. Because of course we are all a young squad and obviously we’ll make mistakes because we don’t have much experience but that’s what we and the coaching staff are here for.”

On the goalkeeping coach and staff at Hyderabad FC

Hyderabad FC goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh with Karanjit Singh

Arshdeep praised the goalkeeping staff, highlighting their supportive nature and the guidance they provided, which enabled him to adapt to Hyderabad FC easily and quickly.

Arshdeep shared, “Our goalkeeping staff has been very helpful to me since my first day here. Our GK coach I think he is an amazing human being and a great coach, I think one of the best coaches I have trained and I am just enjoying my time with him and the whole squad. And Karanjit paaji too has always been guiding us along with the staff. So I think they’ve all been very helpful.”

Adjusting to two different coaches in the same season

Having experienced a challenging season with Hyderabad FC that involved two coaching changes, with Thangboi Singto and Shameel Chembakath taking charge at different times, Arshdeep shared his perspective on adapting to change. He pointed out the similarities in their style while speaking about the crucial role of players in adapting, understanding and fulfilling the specific expectations laid out by each Hyderabad FC coach.

The 27-year-old Hyderabad FC shot-stopper stated, “Both the coaches are wonderful people. They have always guided us well and have a similar approach to the games. I think the coaching style is not very different but as a professional I believe you have to adapt whatever the coach wants from you, you need to do that and that’s what I have been trying to do.”

Arshdeep has a message for the loyal Hyderabad FC fans

Talking about the Deccan Legion – the Hyderabad FC faithful, Arshdeep stated that the fans have always been supportive and expressed his gratitude. Despite a tough season at Hyderabad FC, the goalkeeper landed the die-hard fan support.

He concluded, while stating, “I have met them in the home games and away games as well when they travelled and I think they are great, they are always very loud and they are cheering for the team (Hyderabad FC) even though we sometimes don’t get the results but they are always there and we are very grateful for having them. Their support really means a lot.”

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.

Preethi Raj Kanuganti
Preethi Raj Kanuganti

Balancing her medical studies with a strong passion for Indian football, Preethi has been a dedicated follower of the sport. Her speciality is covering and discovering stories, talking to players, conducting their interviews, and drafting articles. She particularly covers Hyderabad FC and other stories from the ISL and I-League.

Advertisement
Advertisement