Shillong, Nov 26: Blue Tigers’ and East Bengal’s midfield maestro Eugeneson Lyngdoh “can’t explain” his feelings to be “part of a team that plays one of the biggest derbies in the world” he said during a freewheeling chat with the All India Football Federation.
East Bengal will take on ATK Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata derby (the first in the Indian Super League) between these two historic giants of Indian football tomorrow at 7:30PM.
“As a player, (I) can’t explain how I’m feeling to be part of the match. It’s really exciting to be part of a team that plays one of the biggest derbies in the world,” Lyngdoh said.
While it will be East Bengal’s first match of the ISL 2020-21, their city rivals ATK Mohun Bagan kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters on the opening day.
The 34-year-old mentioned that he is excited and “looking forward” to the much-awaited big game, having followed the iconic rivalry for many years.
“Because of the long-cherished rivalry between the two clubs, it has become one of the biggest derbies in the world. Now, I’m on the cusp of playing my part in the match which I have followed for a long time. I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to it,” he stated. “When we look at it as a footballer, it’s immense. Playing in a Kolkata derby, that too representing East Bengal, is beyond my expectation.”
With the current season being played without fans in the galleries due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the playmaker empathized with the supporters and said that he can “feel their pain”.
“Unfortunately, the circumstances won’t allow us to play this match in front of our fans. Football is nothing without its fans. They cry with you, they share the joy with you – they take the game to another level. Being an ardent football fan myself, I can relate and feel the pain,” he signed off.
(All India Football Federation photo)
