Chennaiyin FC’s Jerry Lalrinzuala will be confident heading into their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 clash against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Thursday. The southerners are currently perched at the summit of the league table and Jerry Lalrinzuala has been a familiar face in their backline. Last season’s Emerging Player of the League has been solid at the back for the 2015 winners and is likely to be involved from the start against Jamshedpur. The 19-year-old spoke to indiansuperleague.com before the clash and opined that the ongoing season has been more difficult than his debut campaign. Here are the excerpts.

You made a mark in the first season of the ISL but how has this season’s experience been so far?

This year it is very difficult. Last year we were not doing well but we were giving our best. This year we are doing good. This season is slightly more difficult than last year.

For you personally, last year you played the ISL for the first time and you did pretty well. How has it been different for you this season?

It is different because every match we need to do our best for the team. Every time we try to win. Every match is difficult. It is a very high standard game. Every time we need to do well.

The team is doing well right now, you guys are at the top of the table. How easy or difficult was it for you to gel with the John Gregory system?

It is very difficult because we are top of the table hence any team playing against us, they do their best. We know that and thus we need to fight every match. Our coach is very good. Every time he tells me what to do to improve.

You are playing with and against world class players and coaches in the ISL. How much does it mean for young players like you and how much do you get to learn?

Yes, it is nice. Every time they talk to me, they tell me what to do and what not to do. They are very good players, technically sound so it is nice to play with them.

In the last couple of games, you guys have scored goals and conceded goals also even after the 84th minute or 85th minute. Is there any particular reason for it?

Football is unpredictable. I think we need to have more focus on our defence.

You are playing Jamshedpur tomorrow. How important is that game considering there are three teams just one point behind you?

Jamshedpur is a very good team. They have a strong defence. I think they have only conceded two goals so far. We will do our best tomorrow, it should be a tough match.

What is the atmosphere of the team off the pitch? What are you guys doing when you are not playing?

Sometimes we go out together. We go watch a movie with the foreign players. We are together even on our rest days.

Who do you think is the funniest player in your team?

Henrique Sereno

Who is the best dancer?

Mailson Alves

Who is the worst dancer?

Jude Nworuh

Who according to you is the best singer?

Jeje Lalpekhlua

Who is the worst singer?

Baoringdao Bodo