After trial, Chhangte set to face Bengaluru
NEWDELHI: With his five-day trial stint with Norwegian club Viking FK coming to an end, Delhi Dynamos winger Lallianzuala Chhangte is back in the national capital ahead of the Indian Super League (ISL) clash against tabletoppers Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
Having reached Viking’s base in Stavanger last Friday, Chhangte found out that training sessions are scheduled only during weekdays, leaving him with even fewer days to train with the team.
However, the youngster from Mizoram said his brief trip to Norway was a positive one. “It was a good experience even though it was really short. If they call me again, it will be a good idea to go back there and have a proper stint with them,” said Chhangte on the eve of the Bengaluru game.
“They have much better quality compared to Indians. The tempo is very good and I have realised that the first touch is really important there. I think if I work hard, understand their game well and how they work, I can fit in,” he added.
Focus, however, will now turn to Bengaluru, and head coach Josep Gombau was quick to remind Chhangte of the same. “My advice to him now would be to try and do his best in the remaining games this season. If he does well, he will get more chances to go abroad,” Gombau said.
With Bengaluru winning just two of their last seven games, the visitors will be keen to take full points from the game and cement their place at the top. Coach Carles Cuadrat hinted at possible changes in his line-up for Sunday’s game.
“Our position on the table, gives us the privilege to make some changes and afford some mistakes. We are lucky in that regard.”
Dynamos, who are placed ninth in the ten-team tournament with three games left, will be aiming to end their home campaign on a high note. Having gone winless in their first 11 games of the season, they have managed to avoid defeat in the last four, winning two and drawing two.
RUPINDER BACK
NEWDELHI: Seasoned Rupinder Pal Singh, Ramandeep Singh and SV Sunil were back in the national mix as the trio were included in the senior men’s national camp, beginning in Bengaluru from February 18.
While Rupinder was surprisingly left out of the World Cup squad, Sunil and Ramandeep have been out of action with knee injuries. Ramandeep was out for eight months. He had to leave the field in pain against Pakistan during the Champions Trophy in June. He had to undergo surgery on his right knee. The two proved their fitness at the recently concluded Senior National Championships
Hockey India selectors named 34-members for the national camp to prepare for the season’s first tournament — Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Ipoh, Malaysia which begins on March 23.