Heading into the first Hero Indian Super League (ISL) Player Auction on July 10, it was a foregone conclusion that there would be a huge bidding war for the Hero I-League’s best midfielder last season – Eugeneson Lyngdoh. That’s exactly what happened as Atlético de Kolkata, FC Pune City, Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters and NorthEast United FC were all involved. Eventually Pune snapped him up for a whopping Rs. 1.05 crores. We got up, close and candid with the humble man on the day of the auction.When asked how he felt about the ISL Auction, Lyngdoh beamed, “It’s amazing just to be a part of it. To see how it’s going, it’s very intense, that’s the feeling inside. It’s exciting and just unbelievable.” He may have missed out on playing in the first edition of the ISL last year but he didn’t miss catching the action. “It was something I’d watch every day after training. So when I’d come home, I’d switch the TV on because I had friends playing the ISL. I was so happy for them. I missed it last season, but I thought I’d get a chance next season. I was very happy for what the players learned and experienced playing next to [Nicolas] Anelka and [Alessandro] Del Piero; and I was looking forward to being there,” he revealed.Speaking about his first ISL team, FC Pune City, Lyngdoh asserted, “The coach is new, I’m new to the ISL. Hopefully as a team, we can gel well, do well, work hard and manage a right system when the league starts.” Of course, as was seen in the first season, the ISL was a fantastic opportunity for Indian footballers to rub shoulders with some of the prominent international names in the sport. And Lyngdoh is definitely looking forward to the experience. “Yes, I definitely want to play in the ISL. It means you want to play with the big names and I’m looking forward because we’ll get knowledge about the game and footballing sense.”The dead-ball specialist was honest when he told us what separates him from other players. “I’m adaptive. I can play on the wing and also in midfield. I’m quick to learn, so I think that’s different about me.” He also shed some light on the high fitness levels of players from his Hero I-League club, Bengaluru FC. “We are trained to play football at the same level as the EPL (English Premier League). It is high intensity. Our fitness levels are pushed to the limits, so it helps during the game. Whatever the weather conditions, we are fit to play.”Lyngdoh has already earned four national caps for India, and is looking forward to cementing his place as a regular member of the side. “First of all, I have to give a lot of credit to Bengaluru FC, Ashley Westwood, and my coaches before I was at Bengaluru. They’ve played an important role in my life. I try to move forward and become a better player, learn from different coaches. Stephen Constantine wants me to perform a certain way and I want to learn. I’m looking forward to that and I’d like to establish myself in the international circuit,” he averred.Finally, Lyngdoh had a heartfelt message for all the FC Pune City fans. “It’s great to be back in Pune and I’m looking forward to representing you guys. Let’s work together and bring the league home!”Eugeneson Lyngdoh gets his ISL campaign running when FC Pune City play their first match on October 5 against fellow Maharashtrian club, Mumbai City FC.
