David Lalhlansanga, the rising star of the I-League, is set to shine in the Blue Tigers’ camp as he joins the Indian senior men’s national team for the first time. Out of the 27 players named by head coach Igor Stimac for the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kuwait, Lalhlansanga stands out as the only first-timer.
For the 22-year-old striker, this opportunity marks the culmination of a remarkable season with Mohammedan Sporting Club, where he won the I-League and the Calcutta Football League. Lalhlansanga’s prowess in front of goal was undeniable, as he emerged as the CFL’s top scorer with 21 goals, nine more than his closest rival. Additionally, he claimed the Durand Cup Golden Boot, netting six goals, including an impressive four-goal performance against Jamshedpur FC. His contributions in the I-League were equally significant, with five crucial goals in Mohammedan Sporting’s triumphant campaign.
“Mohammedan Sporting is a good club. Everyone is very united and supportive, and that helped us to win the league,” Lalhlansanga remarked about his club’s success.
Stimac and assistant coach Mahesh Gawali have been closely monitoring Lalhlansanga since the start of his stellar season. The Croatian coach’s presence at Mohammedan Sporting’s 3-1 victory over Namdhari FC in Naihati underscored his interest in the young forward.
“I’ve had a good season and I’m very happy. The team manager at the club told me that the Indian coach would watch the game. I was excited and tried my best to play well,” shared Lalhlansanga. His efforts paid off, earning him a spot in the national camp in Bhubaneswar and eventually a place in the final 27-man squad.
Adjusting to the new environment was initially challenging for Lalhlansanga, but the support from his teammates eased the transition. “At first, it was kind of hard for me to adjust to a different place with different weather and with different people. But luckily, I could adjust quickly because my teammates helped me a lot. I never imagined myself playing with the best players in India. It’s been great fun,” he said.
Lalhlansanga’s journey began in the Cachar district of Assam, before his family moved to Mizoram when he was just a year old. Growing up in a family that relied on farming and poultry for their livelihood, Lalhlansanga started playing football at the age of 10. He spent two years at the Aizawl FC academy before being promoted to the first team, making his senior debut against his current club Mohammedan Sporting in February 2021. After two successful seasons with Aizawl, he made the move to Mohammedan Sporting, where his talent continued to flourish.
Reflecting on his selection for the national camp, Lalhlansanga said, “I received a call from AIFF and they told me that I was selected to join the senior national camp. At that time, I was so happy and didn’t know how to react.”
One of the highlights of his camp experience has been training alongside his idol, Sunil Chhetri, who has announced that this will be his last camp. “I’m so happy to be able to train with Sunil Chhetri. We play in the same position and I’ve learned a lot from him. He has taught me many things like passing and positioning in the box. He’s someone I’ve admired since I was a child,” Lalhlansanga shared.
With a combination of talent, determination, and guidance from seasoned professionals, David Lalhlansanga is poised to make a significant impact in the Blue Tigers’ quest for World Cup qualification. The young striker’s journey from a small village in Mizoram to the national team serves as an inspiration to many aspiring footballers across India.