Eugeneson Lyngdoh says the Indian national team has the potential to be among the elites

INDIA PLAYS NEPAL IN A FRIENDLY in three days. One of the squad members, Eugeneson Lyngdoh spoke to the media today at the same venue when India will be in action less than three days.

Sparing a thought for the first time he played against Nepal in 2015, Lyngdoh reminisced,

“I remember that very well. It was my first match for the country. I was standing on the pitch and the national anthem was playing and it felt great like I have achieved something for the country… like a dream that I always wanted ”

It was been about two years that Lyngdoh first wore the national colours and shared how the journey has been over time. He shared,

“The journey was tough. We have had our ups and downs. There were games that we played badly, there were games that we played really well. But things obviously have fallen to the right path. We are now ranked 100 in the world and shows that we did well.”

India has been on a steady rise in the ranking in world, making a remarkable climb from being ranked 173 to the recent holding on the 100 rank for over two months. Lyngdoh spoke about how the mood in the dressing room has been great and Nepal game being preparatory game for the Asian Cup qualifier gives all players a chance to do their bit for the country so all players are feeling great.

Eugeneson joined the camp only recently after the AFC Cup group stage campaign for Bengaluru FC got over. Sunil Chhetri and the remaining team mates from the club also joined in the practices. Speaking on having Chhetri fit and available for the games, Lyngdoh stressed on his experience gives a boost to all.

“He has been great for the country and has been proving himself time after time. We need a guy like to lead us on the pitch”

Playing under three different coaches in a year can be a tough job for players as well as the coaches alike. Eugeneson playing in the I-League, Indian Super League and the national team shared his thoughts on a question being thrown at him on the different coaching experience.

“As a professional, I thing is our duty to be able to adjust to different coaching style. It may take a few practice sessions but we have to do our best to get it right”

Talking about the season that has been so far, Lyngdoh said,

“We started well in the Asian Cup qualification. Coming to the club we are bit disappointed that we didn’t win the I-League. We started well but it the middle just faded away. We went into the Federation Cup knowing that we must win it to play in the AFC Cup next season”

On a question how the hot and humid conditions of Mumbai would affect the players Lyngdoh answered with a hearty giggle saying the conditions in Mumbai are way better than Cuttack.

Continuing on the topic of Cuttack, Lyngdoh was asked if the long campaign of the Fed Cup and AFC campaign may take a toll on the player’s fitness and he replied,

“No not at all. The coach had given us a day or two off for rest. We came to the camp just yesterday so that we have some time off and now we are ready”

The last time India played a friendly home game, it was at Mumbai and there was great support for the team. On the great response last time around, Lyngdoh hoped the same would be for the game against Nepal as well.

“Fans are the backbone of the team. With you guys behind us, it will give us that extra energy to play. Football won’t be football if it wasn’t for the fans”

On the brink of breaking into the top 100, if India has moved ahead of not being a powerhouse in football, Lyngdoh said India has still got a long way to go. He further added,

“I think we have a lot to learn and a lot to progress. I think this is just a start and have a long way to go. We have greater things ahead of us. We wish to be along with the elite. I don’t see any reason we can’t be there”

His assessment on the Asian Cup, he said Kyrgyz Republic were among the bigger sides in the group and getting three points against them at home would be vital.

Concluding his interaction with the media, Lyngdoh said the team had confidence and they believe that the team can perform well in the upcoming games with not being taking things very seriously

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