Home / Sports / Injured Footballer Sandesh Jhingan Defies Odds, Returns to Field
Injured Footballer Sandesh Jhingan Defies Odds, Returns to Field
29 Sep
Summary
- Sandesh Jhingan returns to football a month after sustaining a cheekbone fracture
- Jhingan trained with a protective mask, now comfortable playing with it
- FC Goa faces a must-win game against FC Istiklol in the AFC Champions League Two
On September 30, 2025, Sandesh Jhingan, the FC Goa defender, is set to make his return to competitive football after a month-long absence due to a cheekbone fracture. Jhingan sustained the injury during a match against Iran at the CAFA Nations Cup in Tajikistan on September 1, but he continued playing until the final whistle.
After undergoing surgery and three weeks of recovery, Jhingan has now returned to training with his FC Goa teammates. The team's coach, Manolo Marquez, has confirmed that Jhingan and another player, Ronnie Willson, have recovered from their injuries and will be available for the upcoming AFC Champions League Two clash against FC Istiklol in Tajikistan on Wednesday.
Jhingan has been training with a protective mask, which he initially found uncomfortable but has now grown accustomed to. The defender acknowledges that he will have to wear the mask for another two and a half months for his own protection, but he is determined to continue doing his job.
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FC Goa's return to the AFC Champions League Two has not been without its challenges. The team suffered a 2-0 loss against Al Zawraa in their opening match and now faces a must-win game against Istiklol to keep their qualification chances alive. Meanwhile, Al Nassr, the Saudi Pro League giants, have already demonstrated their dominance in the group, securing a 5-0 victory over Istiklol, even without the presence of their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
