a Who needs Batman, when you have Robina , is probably the best phrase to describe Bengaluru FCa s goal machine, Robin Singh. A tall imposing figure, Robin Singh is arguably the first of his kind, physical striker, witnessed in the Indian subcontinent. His ability to man-handle opposing defence, fused with his thumping presence in set piece scenarios, has often been Indiaa s and Bengaluru FCa s fulcrum of attack.
Operating as a target man, Robin Singh recently, led Bengaluru FC to their first ever Federation Cup win, since their inception, by scoring the decisive goal against finalists Dempo in a 2-1 win. Talking exclusively to TheHardTackle, Robin expresses his joy.
a It was a very happy feeling to score against Dempo in the Federation Cup finals. Bengaluru won another tournament and it was a brilliant feeling to have a hand in thata .
Strikers are usually measured by their goal scoring tallies and their impact upon the game. Robin, excels in both. The former East Bengal man, was also instrumental in Bengaluru FCa s maiden I-League win last season.
a As a striker, you want to keep scoring goals and Ia ve been lucky enough to score them at the right timea adds Robin, passionately.
Product of Tata Football Academy, Robin Singh has a presence which thwarts opposing defenders away. His imposing figure, has often been a harbinger of goals for club and country. At 6ft 1inch, Robin loves haunting the opposing defensive line and believes that it is one of his key strengths.
a I love playing upfront and I love troubling defenders against me. Those are my strengths, to use my body to my advantage, pushing opposing defenders off and trying to out-muscle them. I think that is what professionalism is, using your strengths to your advantages.a
When inquired about Bengaluru FCa s I-League triumph last season, Robin expressed that it was, all about proving people wrong, which inspired the club to deliver top draw performances.
a People called us a rejectsa and each and every one of us worked hard to prove them wrong. So I think everyone inside Bengaluru FC, who is dedicated and involved, from the water boy to the kit man, wanted us to win the title and that is exactly what kept us goinga
a We have a mentality of getting three points from each game and we put in the effort to do soa he adds.
a There is nothing that differentiates anyone from anybody. Football is a very open game and everyone from Shillong Lajong to Dempo are championsa said Robin, when inquired about the differences between Benagluru FC and the rest of the countrya s footballing clubs.
Amongst their first I-League triumph, former Manchester United player, now turned manager, Ashley Westwood was centrifugal in all of Bengaluru FCa s success. Westwood, injected a certain style of play in Bengaluru FC, which saw the Blue Army defeat traditional powerhouses like Sporting Goa, Dempo and Mohun Bagan.
a I think he (Ashley Westwood) is our spearhead. He heads us and that is how we like to keep it. There is one boss and we listen to him. If he says play 4-4-2 we have to play 4-4-2, if he says 4-3-3, then it is so. He spearheads us on the field and off the field, technicalitiesa .
a He (Ashley Westwood) helped me through troubled times and always encouraged me to keep going. He has always given me the confidence to do so. He is one of the best coaches I have played undera
The 24 year old striker, further asserts that each and every one attached to Bengaluru FC is part of one big happy family. However, he reserves his praises for one special person.
a Well, I and Sunil Chhetri play for India also and there is a very special bond between us. Whether it is just having a conversation with each other or beating him at FIFA. The bond, with Sunil Chhetri helps in the national team also and it has been an honor to play alongside hima
Robin Singh, has bagged fourteen caps for Indian National Team and expresses that he has heard a gooda things about recently appointed manager, Stephen Constantine.
However, he agrees that competition for the National Team is stiff and is hopeful for a call up.
a There are lot of brilliant strikers in India, at the moment, so If i get the opportunity to play under Constantine, then I will take it with both hands and make the best out of it.a
The recently concluded Indian Super League, engulfed the nation in brouhaha and rocketed football onto a national stage. Players of Bengaluru FC were ineligible to play in the competition, due commitments with the club.
a I have no regrets of not playing in ISL. My heart is at BFC. I love playing for BFC. BFC is my familya says Robin, proudly.
Although, he agrees that the competition has highlighted India on a global stage.
a The ISL has put India on the footballing map. It has made a difference. Leta s see how one goes from here.a
The I-League 2015, started with Bengaluru playing out a goalless draw against Dempo SC, in what was co-incidentally a repeat of the Federation Cup finals. Ashley Westwooda s men panned out in 4-4-2, and Robin Singh was coupled alongside Sean Rooney, to lead Bengalurua s attack.
a You have seen us play 4-3-3 and now you have seen us play 4-4-2, and the only thing that I want to say about that is, beating us is very difficult. It shows the work and effort that we put in on the field, whether we play a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2. a
a No matter what formation we play, we will not be the easiest team to beata
When inquired about his targets this season, Robin ardently says, a a I have always set a target of 15 goals. I want to score more than 15 goalsa
Born in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Robin Singh believes that he is a sore-loser and the horror of failure leads him to stretch his limits, whilst performing better than one before.
a I am a very sore-loser. I dona t like losing. I want to win and I want to prove people wrong, I think that is from where I draw my inspirationa
a I want to win each game, whether with India or Bengaluru FCa he further adds.
Although, Robin Singh might not be a regular name on the score sheet, his ability to pluck opposing defenders out of their domain, while creating space for fellow team-mates like Sean Rooney and Sunil Chhetri, elevates him to the point of being almost a indispensablea to the current iteration of Bengaluru FC.
The 24 year striker has had ups and down in his journey from Noida to Bengaluru, but believes that it has been a good one, with more exciting adventures yet to come.