Nepal friendly to set up Kyrgyzstan match: Lyngdoh

Mumbai: India midfielder Eugeneson Lyngdoh made his international debut against Nepal (March 2015) in Guwahati. That game was a pre-qualifier for the Fifa 2018 World Cup. Two years later, as he faces the same team here on Tuesday at the Mumbai Football Arena, it will be a lot less stressful as there are no high stakes riding on the match.

“It was my first match for the country. I remember being on the pitch, singing the national anthem and it felt like I had achieved something and was like a dream come true,” he said.

“The journey has been tough since then, few ups and downs. Now 100th in the world shows we are doing well. We have lot to learn and lot to progress. I think this is just the start, we have greater things ahead of us. We want to be in the elite,” he added.

Lyngdoh remarked that playing against better ranked Lebanon — who pulled out — instead of a last minute replacement Nepal would have no bearings on the preparation for the Kyrgyzstan game.

“Playing any team is the right preparation. We just need to gel well as a team and understand each other better and set the system right. The Nepal game is important so that we are set up before the game against Kyrgyzstan. We go out to do best and get three points in whatever game it is. Kyrgyzstan are one of the biggest sides in the group,” he said.

The midfielder also spoke about the boost the team had received following the return of Sunil Chhetri to action.

 “It’s obviously a big boost to the whole team. He’s been great and he’s been proving himself time after time. We need him to lead us on the pitch,” Chhetri’s Bengaluru FC and India team-mate said.

“The coach (Stephen Constantine) gave us a couple of days rest, we just came in on Friday,” Lyngdoh added.

Two U-22 players — Chinglensana Singh and Laldanmawia Ralte — have been released from the camp with Subrata Paul and Cavin Lobo having been released earlier.