VIDEO: East Bengal's Hero of the Moment - Lalrindika Ralte

Indian international winger Lalrindika Ralte who hails from a small town in Mizoram is the hero of the moment at East Bengal Club after scoring the extra-time winner against Churchill Brothers SC. Here a good insightful report by XtraTime about Dika!

Lalrindika Ralte: In such a match, you need to pump in a bit extra

Lalrindika Ralte, known as Dika to friends, at barely 21 his talent has never been in doubt but already an established member of the Senior Indian squad for over a year, the 'Senior' in India's Under-22 squad feels team spirit makes this bunch a whole lot different from other squads. Here Dika speaks about India's chances against Oman, the minute details off the field, Head Coach Arthur Papas and a lot more.


You have played for India since the Under-16 level to the Senior Team. Can you spot anything special in this team?

This team is a united lot and that makes it special. Everyone is ready to support each other. Players who are not playing on a day are involved in the match as much as those who are sitting on the bench. The team spirit makes this an unique bunch.

I need to mention Arthur (Papas) has played a major hand in this. He has made all of us aware of our responsibilities both on and off the field.


India face a must-win situation against Oman. What are the feelings?

In such a match, your hundred percent may not yield a favourable result and you always need to pump into something extra. You have a look at our families and you'll see we don't get to be with them more than 10-15 days in a year. So we ought to make this sacrifice count.


You and Alwyn George complement each other in the midfield. How do you describe him?

He is a new player but possesses such a mature head. He is always able to break free and that makes him special. I see him as an exceptionally gifted individual.


Arthur Papas stresses on the minute details off the field. What are they?

There are some basic things which sometimes we prefer to overlook. Water intake has to be high, especially as you are playing in the heat; you need to have proper rest and sleep well. You also need to stick to a diet. Desserts stay a taboo for us. You ought to stay and move as a team – it's all about discipline.


How do you define India's performance in the AFC Under-22 Championship so far?

Prior to coming here, this was the 'Group of Death'. But we still have a chance and are alive and ticking. That explains it all. We have been taught to be compact on the field and we stick to the instructions. Most importantly, your style of play has to be adjusted to what your team needs from you and not what you want to play as an individual. That stays the key.

Jeje Lalpekhlua: I'm still a learner

Striker Jeje Lalpekhlua has come a long way since first bursting onto the Indian football scene. The young Mizo is set to captain the India Under-22s in the AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualifiers in Oman. A new responsibility for Jeje, who talks about a number of things before the qualifiers kick-off tomorrow with long-time friend and team mate Lalrindika Ralte adding his bit here and there.


How has life changed after being named India's captain for AFC U-22 Championship qualifiers?

Change -- what is that? (Jeje bursts into laughter). I had earlier led India in the AFC U-19 Championship. A footballer's life doesn't begin and end with captaincy. My life hasn't changed either. I have always stayed committed to my country's cause and this time too, it's no different.

The moment he finishes, Jeje’s room partner Lalrindika Ralte with a mischievous grin, adds: "He is the Big Boss now." And both burst into laughter.


Is Captaincy an added responsibility or a burden?

It depends on how one looks at it. To me a true captain is someone who leads off the field. As a Captain, you need to set an example and when Head Coach Arthur Papas announced it in the team meeting, I felt very excited. I have been lucky enough that I already enjoyed a great rapport with each of my team members.


You are a regular member of the Senior India side. Do you look upon yourself as a Senior in this Under-22 squad?

You must be kidding. Despite my brush with the Senior India side, I'm still a learner. I'm very comfortable in this U-22 squad as there are so many old batch mates who are playing alongside me. There's Gurpreet (Sandhu), Abhishek (Das), Dika (Lalrindika Ralte), Manandeep (Singh), Deepak (Devrani), Ravi (Kumar), Vishal (Kumar), Prathamesh (Maulingkar) with whom I've played since the U-19 level and with the Indian Arrows.

Dika, sitting next joins in. “If there's anyone who deserves to lead India, it's Jeje. He's a disciplined guy and can set an example for us all,” he quips.


What do you bring from the Senior India team to this squad?

The discipline and the experience! At the senior level, there are so many stars but they never threw their weight on me. That was a huge learning experience for me. I want to walk the same path. I'm a Senior and a Junior at the same time.


Arthur Papas has been stressing on a new style of play since he took over. What's your take on that?

The benefits of the new style of play will reap fruits in the future. He has been stressing on possessional play and the build-up often starts from defence. It's not that we adjusted to the style on the first day itself but we have been flexible and have settled down fast.

Dika added: "During the initial phase, instinct prompted us to play the manner we have been sticking to for the last few years. But Arthur has been patient and supportive."


How do you rate Arthur Papas as a Coach?

He’s sharp, energetic, caring and an intelligent person. He explains with passion and instills a sense of self belief among the players. He's very clear in what his priorities are.

Dika nodded. "He's a no-nonsense man. He has implemented some rules within the Camp and he leads from the front. His sessions are fun and enjoyable."

India Under-22s start against Lebanon tomorrow

The India Under-22s tomorrow open their AFC Under-22 Asian Championship qualification campaign against Lebanon in Muscat, Oman in what is a tough group for the Indian boys. A good start could set to tone for the rest of the qualifiers, a loss might indirectly mean the end of the dream to qualify for the final round.

Head Coach Arthur Papas said, "It is our first match of the Championship and is a critical one. A good start can provide us the optimism to look a qualification."

You ought to like the man for sure. He has been successful enough to impart a strict sense of discipline within the team. There's a certain dress code for all to follow; if you are late for the meals, you are 'punished'. The punishment ranges from having intense extra sprints in practice to singing a song prior to lunch or dinner.

With things taking a bit more than usual to settle down after checking into the Muscat Hotel on yesterday, a few of his wards arrived a bit late for lunch. They had to sing. "Jana Gana Mana…" The start just couldn’t have been better. All appreciated.

"This is very necessary. There's unity in the team. We need to push ourselves to be on time and perfect for everything. Football is all about that," midfielder Lalrindika Ralte adds.

On the field, Papas has been stressing on a new style of play - a style which emphasises on keeping possession of the ball. Once you get it, you can't afford to let it go. And you have to admit, the boys have shown 'tremendous maturity'.

"The practice sessions are fun," proclaims Ralte. "We are enjoying it. Everyone is enjoying it."

You watch from a distance. It's all about touches – one, two, three, four… and at times, seems unending. Unaffected, relaxed, confident, one can rely on his skills. "We need to strike a balance," is all what Papas will tell you.

Off the field, almost every moment, he's on his toes. "Water intake should be high," he says. The boys nod. "No desserts please," he goes on. The boys agree. "No late nights. Take enough rest," the boys trust their new coach.

The conditions in Oman were supposed to be foreign. There's a heat wave which will prompt you to believe the indoors are the best place on Earth. But the Camp in New Delhi and Dubai has proved beneficial though Papas informs: "Dubai was less hot."

Lebanon challenge India in their first match tomorrow (5 pm local, 6.30 pm IST). Iraq, UAE, Turkmenistan and Oman would follow in the coming days.

"We stay on a threshold," Captain Jeje Lalpekhlua proclaims, "We have adjusted to a new style, it's a new bunch and we have a new Coach at the helm. There's a more definite approach at the moment," he adds. "I've recovered fully and am fit at the moment!"

Tomorrow the boys need to prove how quickly they have been to learn and if they can get a positive result at the start.