Grabs the ‘Player of the Year’ award for Falz Zone in German League

AFTER HIS superb run in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Tournament that helped India make it to the final of the tournament after 12 years, the country’s ace drag flicker Sandeep Singh added another feather to his cap recently. He has bagged the ‘Player of the Year’ award for Falz Zone (North Zone) in the German Hockey League for the year 2007-08.
Sandeep Singh, playing for the TG Frankenthal Club in the A-division of the Bundisliga Hockey League, notched up 22 points for his performance in the league, that includes 14 goals in 12 matches, to win the coveted honour.

Sandeep was the highest scorer with 11 goals in nine matches in the first stage of the league held last year between September and October. But, he had to miss most of the matches in the second stage of the league held between May and June because of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup. ”

“Winning the player of the year award (Falz Zone) in the German League was a great honour for me and the recognition that I got in a foreign land will only en courage me to perform better,” said Sandeep Singh, who scored three goals in as many matches in the second stage of the league.

“We finished fourth overall and missed the berth for the European Hockey League (EHL) by only one place. The award that I got for my showing in the league would have felt more worthy had I been able to help the Club make it to EHL,” he added.

On signing the club for the 2008-09 session, he said, “I am getting offers from many Clubs in England, Malaysia and Germany, but there’s time. I would like to check our international schedule and only after consulting with the coaches will I take a decision in this regard.”

Sandeep is presently part of the Air India squad that will participate in an invitational tournament in Russia from July 2.

On India’s chances of de fending the Junior Asia Cup title, he said, “Ten of the juniors were part of the Malaysia-bound team and they play really well. Going by their showing in the Sutlan Azlan Shah Cup, defending the junior Asia Cup title will not be a tough job for the boys.”

Sandeep, with his 16 goals, was the highest scorer in the 2004 Junior Asia Cup triumph.