Mizoram: Odisha FC midfielder Lalhrezuala Sailung has stated that his goal against SC East Bengal at the fag end of the Indian Super League last season has motivated him to grow as a professional player.
The 20-year-old youngster scored the first goal against SC East Bengal as Odisha FC won the encounter 6-5 in what was the highest-scoring match in the history of the league. Odisha however, finished last with just two wins from 20 games.
“It was amazing. I still don’t believe that I had scored a goal in the ISL – the highest league in India, “Lalhrezuala told Sportslight Media in an exclusive interaction. “It was really a moment to cherish. I don’t know how to say it.
“It was just amazing. It surprised me a lot and motivates me to develop and encourages me to grow in my professional football career,” he added. The Mizo boy’s tryst with Odisha FC began during his Youth Academy days before he was drafted into the senior side ahead of last season.
“First of all, I want to thank Odisha FC for believing in me and giving a chance to be a part of the team. During my Aspire Academy days, I have learnt numerous things like, how to develop and deliver? how to become a good and more skillful player and finally how to become more professional,” he said.
“Many big and experienced players use to come over there and we learnt a lot by seeing them in the academy. We really had a good time at Aspire Academy with my mates,” reminisced the young midfielder.
Lalhrezuala also talked about the importance of youth academies in the country for the upliftment of the young talents in India. “The most important thing for the development of young players is having good academies and good management at the grassroots level,” he added.
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“India has to get more academies coming up in the country so that more and more young and talented players like us can come up and improve. We have developed from the proper academy. All the states in the country should have a proper grassroots structure and academy for the growth of the players.”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019-20 season of ISL was held in a bio-bubble in Goa behind closed doors. He said that the bio-bubble has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on individuals.
“It can be positive and sometimes not as well. If there is no audience then the motivation level might be down. It can be an advantage or disadvantage based on a particular player. But considering the situation, during this pandemic, it was a great idea to play without fans. But staying inside the bubble for five months is somewhere boring,” he concluded off.
