KOCHI: Indian national team striker Robin Singh could not have dreamt of a better start to his ISL career. On Wednesday at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune, he got his head to a Florent Malouda corner to put Delhi Dynamos FC ahead against FC Pune City, 24 minutes into his debut.
What made the goal more special for Robin was the fact that he was playing a second competitive game in less than 24 hours after flying back from Muscat, where he had come in as a second-half substitute in the 0-3 defeat against Oman in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
“It was an ideal start to the ISL, especially after playing for India some hours earlier. I try to help my team by scoring as many goals as I can,” the towering striker told SS on Friday in Kochi, where Dynamos face Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium on Sunday.
The 25-year-old is in exceptional company, with Brazilian World Cup winner Roberto Carlos as coach, former France and Chelsea star Florent Malouda, and former Liverpool defender John Arne Riise lining up alongside him.
There is also a young prospect like Adil Nabi, who is on loan from Premier League club West Bromwich Albion, and the striker said he is hoping to learn from each one of them.
“Carlos brings in a lot to the team from his experience of world football,” he said of the Brazilian maestro. Robin also said he intends to add more goals to his game. “There is definitely plenty of scope to improve. I am looking to score more goals and at the same time, help my teammates score when there is a chance to do so,” said Robin, who set up Richard Gadze for Delhi’s other goal against Pune.
Having sat out of the ISL during the first season, the striker is not sorry about it. “I was playing for Bengaluru FC and for me, it doesn’t matter which team I play for. I always try to help them by playing,” said Robin, adding that there isn’t much difference in quality between the ISL and I-League.
“I don’t think there is much difference and both the I-League and ISL are extremely competitive.
It is just that when it comes to foreigners, ISL has better stars with greater pedigree compared to the I-League,” said Robin.
He added that the quality of Indians has increased after playing against international players.
Robin is also relishing the rare chance to represent his hometown in football. “It is the first time that I am representing Delhi in professional football. It feels good, and as a team, I would want Dynamos to win the competition,” Robin said.