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What's the story?
Neroca FC's Aryn Williams has never been shy to express his desire to play for the Indian National Team. It looks like his wish is finally about to be fulfilled as his Indian passport may arrive soon.
While speaking to Sportskeeda, he revealed the status of his passport. "It's a tedious process so just waiting to lay all the requirements really. Hopefully, we can get it done before the AFC Asian Cup," he said.
"I am ready to give up my Australian passport and citizenship to play for India. I have been longing to play for India for a long time. I want to follow in my grandfather's footsteps. He played in the 1950s. When he passed away two years ago, it has been driving me more and more to play for India," added an emotional Aryn.
In case you didn't know...
Aryn Williams was signed by Neroca FC, a football club based in Imphal, Manipur that finished 2nd in the 2017/18 I-League season. It was promoted to the top division after winning the 2nd Division in 2016/2017. Though Aryn would be seen as a usual foreign transfer, many would not have expected the Australian national to express a desire to don the Indian national team jersey.
Despite being an Australian, he also has Indian roots. His mother and grandparents were born in Mumbai, India, which thereby makes him eligible for an Indian passport.
The heart of the matter
Aryn belongs to a family of footballers. His elder brother is a former Middlesbrough midfielder and played for the Australian national team as well. He has a twin brother who has lined up for the U-23 squad. The midfielder, however, had different plans in mind as he expressed his wish to play for the Blue Tigers. The Australian national said that he wanted to follow the footsteps of his grandfather Lincoln Grostate, who played for Maharashtra in the 1950s.
Aryn began his career in England with Burnley and then returned to Australia to play for Perth Glory in the A-League. His interest in India gained momentum when he was offered to play for Neroca FC.
His dream, therefore, seems to be on the brink of becoming reality as his passport may arrive soon. Aryn took to Twitter to reply to a fan who wished to see him don the blue jersey.
What's next?
If Aryn Williams does receive his passport, he would have to forego his Australian citizenship according to Indian laws.
Author's take
While Aryn has certainly impressed one and all with his performances for Neroca, there is no guarantee that he will be picked for the national team, with experienced midfielders like Rowllin Borges and Eugeneson Lyngdoh, already being among head coach Stephen Constantine's top picks.
