Lyngdoh looking forward to SAFF Cup, praises Constantine, plays down personal stardom

INDIAN START MEDIO Eugeneson Lyngdoh has said he is treating the SAFF Championship with utmost importance. Speaking to the press for the first time following the announcement of him winning the AIFF Player of the Year Award 2015 thanks to his outing for Bengaluru FC in the I-League, the former Lajong and Rangdajied player was grounded in his approach to the tournament,

“I am looking forward to the SAFF Suzuki Cup. It’s the first Tournament I will be playing in my Country apart from the World Cup Qualifiers. Like as any other Player playing in this Tournament from all the other Countries, I want to win it too. That stays our priority.”

It has been a memorable year for Lyngdoh, who got his national team debut in the pre-World Cup Qualifiers early 2015 and went on to feature in multiple crucial matches for the national team. He also featured prominently in the Bengluru FC side that was in contention to win the I-League till the last few minutes of the season. 

Speaking about the mood in the squad and the way Stephen Constantine is running things at the Blue Tigers' camp, Lyngdoh was full of praise for the Brit gaffer,

“There’s so much competition in the squad now. Constantine wants to give an opportunity to all. There are boys in the squad who are not even part of an I-League Team. It’s been a very nice experience for me with Constantine. The competiveness of the State League Players will certainly help develop Indian Football further.”

The 28 year old has been some sort of a late bloomer, rising to prominence over the last 2-3 seasons playing for the erstwhile Rangdajied United and then making a career-changing move to Bengaluru FC. But stardom has followed in due course; in the ISL Auctions this year he commanded the second highest selling price and the most intense bidding war between franchises.

But the cool-headed medio is quick to play down the idea of personal stardom and turn the focus back onto the game,

“We are a Country which has so much talent. But Football is a Team Game. So it’s not possible for a single individual to script glory. Each of us is supposed to be doing what we are expected to do."