Lyngdoh hoping to help Ryntih qualify for I-League

For a region that has long been the supplier of Indian footballing talent, the true representation and local sustenance of that talent came to the fore only in 2009 with

Shillong Lajong

’s qualification for the

I-League

from Meghalaya.


In the decade that followed, Mizoram’s Aizawl FC hogged the limelight claiming the I-League title in 2016-17 season and clubs like NEROCA FC and TRAU FC from Manipur made the northeast presence in top-tier football felt.

But Lajong’s relegation to second division I-League in 2019 left a vacuum in the footballing sphere of Meghalaya that overflows with football fans who had no local club to cheer for in the top leagues. That situation could change this time around with

Ryntih FC

set to vie for a place in I-League in the upcoming qualifiers.

If their steep improvement over the last couple of years is anything to go by, the Shillong-based club could give the more heavyweight contenders a run for their money in Bengaluru next month. While bringing in the raw talent of its local youngsters that won them the 2019 Chief Minister’s Gold Cup in Sikkim, Ryntih have also bolstered the balance in the team by roping in the experience of Meghalaya’s own

Chesterpaul Lyngdoh

.

Lyngdoh will be vital in realising the club’s ambition of clinching the coveted spot and the midfielder, who last played in his home state in the youth set-up of Shillong-based Nangkiew Irat and at SAI Shillong before his professional outing, is aware of the responsibility and eager to play the role.

“I am really glad to be back in my home state and I hope that I can provide the experience that our young team needs at this competitive stage,” Lyngdoh told the TOI during a virtual interaction.

While Lyngdoh is the most high-profile name to don their colours this season, the community-based club formed in 1998 has also named an all-Indian contingent – comprising Meghalaya players from the own youth setup as well as those other clubs in the

Shillong Premier League

– for the qualifiers starting on Monday.

The only non-state player in the squad is Neithoville Chalieu from Nagaland.

And to guide the young team, which will also have former Lajong veteran Hardy Cliff Nongbri to help Lyngdoh command the midfield, there is local coach Khlainpyrkhat Syiemlieh at the reins and Lyngdoh is excited to play under him.

“Communication with foreign coaches and those from other regions of the country has always been a bit difficult,” said Lyngdoh, who has been plying his trade in I-League and ISL with big names like Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Real Kashmir and Pune City FC. “But this time I am working with a local gaffer and he has been able to instill the belief in us. And I am 100% sure that we can make it to the I-League.”

Ryntih have had a two-and-a-half-month pre-season training at SAI ground in Shillong and reached Bengaluru last week to start their quarantine to prepare for a life in bubble for the qualifiers.

“It had been a difficult two years for me. My house is far away from Shillong and so I had almost no means to train over that period. Hence, I invited some local young boys to practise with me in the hope that I can enthuse them in the sport,” reminisced Lyngdoh.

“But it’s a different kind of challenge now. I am confined to my hotel room and only able to do light exercises,” said the 23-year-old who is serving the compulsory quarantine on arrival.

But none of the pandemic-related hardships have daunted Lyngdoh and his young teammates as is evident from the words of their coach. “The dedication that the team have shown in these past few months will reap the benefits at the event and we shall go all guns blazing to bring glory back to our state,” said Syiemlieh.