In a path-breaking story for Indians in New Zealand, and around the world, New Zealand international, Sarpreet Singh, made his starting eleven debut for Bayern Munich in Bundesliga on Saturday.
In the match, the German football giant refused to ease off, even after winning their eight straight championship title, and defeated SC Freiburg 3-1. This is Munich’s 15th consecutive competitive match win.
Starting the match, Singh guarded Munich’s midfield along with his team-mates Leon Goretzka, Michaël Cuisance, and Thomas Müller.
Müller later praised Singh and other youngsters in the team saying, “The boys who came in have quality. They know how to play football.”
Notably, in December last year, Singh became the first player of Indian descent to play in German league, Bundesliga, when he replaced the Philippe Coutinho, in the final eight minutes of Munich’s match against Werder Bremen. Early that month, Singh, who has been among the reserve players at the German football giant till then, was promoted to train with the club’s first team until the winter break.
In a social media post after the match, Singh expressed his pleasure adding, “Happy to make my first league start for @FCBayern.”
The club’s official Facebook page also noted, “A winning full debut for Sarpreet Singh.”
-Gaurav Sharma