FC Goa defender Sandesh Jhingan.
Photo Credits: FC Goa
PANAJI
FC Goa celebrated a significant victory against Bengaluru FC, winning 3-0 and achieving their first clean sheet of the season. The match also marked the triumphant return of Sandesh Jhingan, who returned after a nine-month recovery from a serious injury sustained while playing for the Indian national team in January 2024.
In an exclusive interview with The Goan, Jhingan shared his thoughts about his journey back to the field and his experiences during his recovery.
Q: Sandesh, it took you almost nine months to recover from your injury. How was that period for you?
Sandesh Jhingan: It was actually seven months from the surgery, but I’ve been out for nine months overall. It was tough. I won’t pretend it was easy. There were moments of frustration and anger, and days when I felt sorry for myself. My motivation fluctuated. Some days, I was highly motivated, and other days, I was difficult to be around. Thankfully, I had tremendous support from my doctor, physios, trainers, coaches, and teammates. Ravi Puskur, the FC Goa CEO, was always in touch, ensuring I focused only on my recovery. I’m really grateful to everyone who helped me through this journey.
Q: What kept you going during such a challenging time? Was there a special moment that inspired you?
SJ: In July or August, when the season started during the pre-season, I was feeling particularly low. My wife noticed and asked me what was wrong. I expressed my confusion about when I would be ready to return. She simply told me that I didn’t have to be ready; I just needed to be brave. That really hit me and changed my perspective. Whenever I felt down, I reminded myself to focus on being brave rather than just being ready.
Q: How did your family support you during your recovery?
SJ: My daughter was a huge motivation. During my initial recovery, I couldn’t walk while she was learning to take her first steps. I wanted to be there for her, so that pushed me to get back on my feet. My wife, my parents, and my teammates all played vital roles in my recovery. I owe a lot to them for their unconditional support. While I appreciate the praise for my comeback, I believe 90% of the credit goes to those who helped me.
Q: What was going through your mind as you stepped onto the pitch against Bengaluru FC?
SJ: Strangely, I didn’t think about my struggles or the injury at all. I’ve trained myself to stay focused and numb to emotions before games. I approached it as just another battle to win like I’ve done hundreds of times before.
Q: How important was the victory against Bengaluru FC, especially for your return?
SJ: The win was crucial for us. We hadn’t won a game at home yet, and we were desperate for a victory. We knew we deserved better than our position in the league. We’ve been performing well in training, and we needed that click. It was great that it happened during my comeback, but it was a collective effort. We prepared tactically and executed our game plan well.
Q: Many fans feel that your return has revitalized FC Goa. What are your thoughts on that?
SJ: It’s flattering to hear, and I’m grateful for the love from the fans. However, football isn’t a one-man show. We won because of our team effort and tactical preparation. It’s important to recognize that success comes from everyone working together.
Q: Looking ahead, what are your thoughts on the next match, against Punjab FC?
SJ: I’m looking forward to it. Recovery is key right now, and we’ll prepare again on Tuesday. Punjab FC is a strong team that is currently sitting third in the table. It’s going to be a tough match, but we need to play to our potential. If we can do that, we’ll have a good chance of winning.
Q: Do you have a message for the FC Goa fans who supported you during your recovery?
SJ: I’m incredibly grateful for their support. I’ll cherish the moments when they cheered for me and my family. I know our season hasn’t started as we hoped, but their encouragement means everything. We’re all in this together, through the good and the bad. If we stick together, we can lift the trophy at the end of the season.
