Everything seemed to be going right for Bengaluru FC and Eugeneson Lyngdoh at the start of the 2016 I-League season. Three wins in the first three games against Salgaocar, Aizawl (both away) and Shillong Lajong had taken the Blues to the top of the league table.
Disaster struck in the fourth game against Mumbai FC when Lyngdoh suffered a hairline fracture and was sidelined for two months – half the season in a truncated I-League that saw all teams play only 16 games. The Blues struggled without last season’s Midfielder of the Year and also lost their grip on the top spot to Mohun Bagan.
It all changed on his return to the squad and the goals and assists soon flowed as Bengaluru FC leapfrogged their Kolkata rivals and reclaimed the title with a game to spare.
Sportskeeda caught up with the Shillong-born midfielder at Puma Social in Bengaluru for an exclusive chat on what was a hectic season for the Blues.
In an interview last year, you mentioned that your goal was to win back the I-League title for Bengaluru FC. Now that you’ve accomplished that, what is your next goal?
(Laughs) They keep coming, you know. Now our next goal will be the AFC Cup. No Indian team has won the AFC Cup, so we want to go one step further and win the AFC Cup.
How far do you think Bengaluru FC can go in the AFC Cup? What do you need to progress?
I think we have a good coach who is capable enough to lead us and we also have a good set of players who can execute the coach’s plans. It will be tough, but if everything goes according to plan, it’s not something that can’t be done.
What has been the key to BFC players' fitness this season? Player fatigue at the end of each game is not as big a factor compared to other clubs. You also returned from injury and took no time getting back to your best.
I have to give credit to the coaching staff for that. They prepare us and they train us in a style similar to the English Premier League. Everything is done with intensity so that we are fit enough to go 90 minutes at the same pace we start the game with. Of course, what we eat and what we do both on and off the field also has something to do with that.
You defended your title of I-League Midfielder of the Year in spite of missing a few weeks to injury. Were you surprised?
I think the reason why I won the award was because of the goals that I scored that helped the team win the league. Obviously, I must also thank God. I couldn’t have done it coming back from an injury and finishing on a high note like I did.
All credit should also go to my teammates. If it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have been able to perform like that.
Towards the end of the season, Bengaluru seemed to have stabilised the midfield. What do you think is the best combination in the middle of the park?
It depends on the situation that varies from game to game, it depends on what we need. The coach chooses the midfield according to how we need to approach the game, how it will suit our game and we have to gel accordingly.
So whatever combination was picked, we did well.
Also read: Interview with Sunil Chhetri: Proudest moment was Bengaluru FC reaching AFC Cup quarter-finals
Which was your most memorable goal this season? You scored in three consecutive games after your return from injury which helped Bengaluru wrap up the I-League title.
I would say the goal against East Bengal. It was very crucial; it was a game that we needed to win, we were a goal down and we came back strong in a minute or so (after conceding).
Thanks for your time, Eugene. And good luck in the AFC Cup.
Cheers!
