PTI, MUMBAI: India are warming up for the June 13 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Kyrgyzstan by taking on Nepal here on June 6 and medio Eugeneson Lyngdoh feels it was a key game for the national team’s players to again jell well after playing for their respective clubs in the I-League.
“The mood in the team is great. We are all excited to be representing the country again after the long season. The Nepal game is important so that we are set up before the game against Kyrgyzstan,” Lyngdoh told reporters here today ahead of his training session with the national team at the Football Arena in the Andheri Sports Complex.
“It’s the right preparation (for the game against Kyrgyzstan at Bengaluru) as playing against any team will help us to jell as a team. We are coming back after so many months and it’s important to get our system right before playing against Kyrgyzstan,” added Lyngdoh who had made his international debut against Nepal two years ago.
“It was my first match and I remember it as a dream come true. Obviously I was a new player and senior players Robin Singh, Sunil (Chhetri) and a couple of other guys and coaching staff supported me,” he recalled about his debut in the first leg of the two-legged 2018 FIFA World Cup pre qualifier in 2015.
India’s world ranking has improved by leaps and bounds and Lyngdoh has been part of the climb to the world’s 100th rank.
“The journey has been tough. We have had ups and downs. There were games we played badly and there were games we played really well. Things have fallen at the right path and now we are 100 in the world,” said Lyngdoh about the progress.
“We have a lot to learn and this is a start. We have greater things ahead of us. We aim to be among the elite and I don’t see why we can’t be as we have the talent,” added the 30-year-old player.
