Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai) - Live
Mumbai have unfinished business in ISL: Chhangte
“You can be nervous but you can’t be afraid, right?” Even when he is speaking softly, Lallianzuala Chhangte is quietly confident, like he is when he has the ball. Winners of the league shield in the Indian Super League (ISL) last season, Mumbai City FC are a draw away from an encore. It will have to happen at a Salt Lake stadium that could be an intimidating cauldron and against an in-form Mohun Bagan Super Giant. “A dream final game,” said Chhangte. “It will be wonderful to go out there, fight against them and win it.”
Mohun Bagan creamed Bengaluru FC 4-0 to set this up: another must-win tie to be the best after 22 rounds. Mohun Bagan are on 45 points, two behind leaders Mumbai City whom they meet on Monday. Up for grabs is ₹6 crore as prize money and a chance to represent India in Asia.
“The more the fans, the more enjoyable it will be,” Chhangte told HT on a Zoom call. There will be pressure but that is normal for me, he said. And that is when the 26-year-old attacking player spoke about the difference
in being afraid and nervous.
Chhangte is not considering choosing between winning the shield and the ISL trophy. “I will go for both. Last year, we missed one, right? (Mumbai won the shield with two rounds to spare but lost to Bengaluru FC on penalties in the play-off). There is some unfinished business...” Mumbai City’s only ISL trophy came in 2020-21, when they also won the shield. Chhangte joined next term.
In 21 games, Chhangte has six goals, the second highest among Indians. He also has six assists, second after Mohun Bagan’s Manvir Singh and fourth overall. Twelve goal contributions is the sixth best overall and the most among Indians. Last season, he had 10 goals and six assists and was ISL’s player of the season. “I understand the game better now and have become more of a team player,” he said.
Crucial to that has been Peter Kratky, who joined as head coach after Des Buckingham left last year. Part of the City Football Group, the 42-year-old Czech was got over from Melbourne City. “Peter gave responsibility to every player. The Indian boys took this to heart…. He has helped us rediscover the importance of team work.”
His focus is on ISL but Chhangte did not dodge questions on India’s underwhelming run. It was his assist for Manvir Singh in November that fetched India’s only goal from open play in six games, four of which have ended in defeats. “As a player, I take full responsibility. Definitely we could have and should have done better.” Playing at nearly 3000m above sea level and lack of time to get ready were mentioned while explaining the deplorable draw and defeat against Afghanistan. “But of course, these are not excuses,” he said. “Afghanistan was a wake-up call. We will learn from this and come back stronger. That is a promise.”
India play the World Cup qualifiers in June, against Kuwait and Qatar next.