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Federation Cup: Playing Against East Bengal Was Difficult - Shillong Lajong's Anil Gurung
The Nepal star spoke to Goal.com...
03-Jan-2010 9:03:31 AM
One of the biggest names in Nepal football, Anil Gurung, who now
plies his trade in India with Shillong Lajong, has made a name for himself in
his short spell with the north eastern club so far after a series of impressive
displays in the Federation Cup. The highlight of his time in India has been the
fantastic strike against Dempo SC.
Ahead of the crucial finals against East Bengal, Gurung speaks on a variety of subjects including which teams he has found the toughest to play against...
Goal.com: How has your journey been in India so far? What brought you here in the first place?
Gurung: It’s been fantastic so far. After coming back from England, Shillong Lajong called me to have a trial at the club. After some 15 days of trials, coach Stanley Rosario and the club’s secretary, Larsing Ming were impressed and we inked a deal. I always wanted to play abroad. After failing to play in UK due to working VISA issues, I was forced to come back. But, fortunately, luck was there.
Goal.com: What do you make of Indian football of what you have seen? Is it very physical?
Gurung: Indian football is physical. We play technical game in Nepal. We don’t want to kick and run. We play very academic football - short passes, skill and dodging. But, that doesn't only make complete football. Indian football is improving day-by-day.
Goal.com: What do you have to say on the infrastructure here when compared to your esteemed country?
Gurung: Indian infrastructure is better in compared to us. We don't have too many grounds as our country is hilly. We hardly have natural turfs. We have very little football stadiums. But, the football craze is high as it is the number one game in our country.
Goal.com: Was it a relief to have scored your first goal in India and that too against a top club like Dempo?
Gurung: Yes, I was very happy when I scored a goal against such a big team. I’ve heard a lot about Sunil Chhetri. But, football is a team game and I believe in team spirit. I am hopeful that we would play excellent game in second phase of the I-league.
Goal.com: Which team did you find as the toughest so far in India to play with?
Gurung: So far, playing against East Bengal was difficult.
Rahul Bali.
For more on Shillong Lajong, please visit our Shillong Lajong page!
Ahead of the crucial finals against East Bengal, Gurung speaks on a variety of subjects including which teams he has found the toughest to play against...
Goal.com: How has your journey been in India so far? What brought you here in the first place?
Gurung: It’s been fantastic so far. After coming back from England, Shillong Lajong called me to have a trial at the club. After some 15 days of trials, coach Stanley Rosario and the club’s secretary, Larsing Ming were impressed and we inked a deal. I always wanted to play abroad. After failing to play in UK due to working VISA issues, I was forced to come back. But, fortunately, luck was there.
Goal.com: What do you make of Indian football of what you have seen? Is it very physical?
Gurung: Indian football is physical. We play technical game in Nepal. We don’t want to kick and run. We play very academic football - short passes, skill and dodging. But, that doesn't only make complete football. Indian football is improving day-by-day.
Goal.com: What do you have to say on the infrastructure here when compared to your esteemed country?
Gurung: Indian infrastructure is better in compared to us. We don't have too many grounds as our country is hilly. We hardly have natural turfs. We have very little football stadiums. But, the football craze is high as it is the number one game in our country.
Goal.com: Was it a relief to have scored your first goal in India and that too against a top club like Dempo?
Gurung: Yes, I was very happy when I scored a goal against such a big team. I’ve heard a lot about Sunil Chhetri. But, football is a team game and I believe in team spirit. I am hopeful that we would play excellent game in second phase of the I-league.
Goal.com: Which team did you find as the toughest so far in India to play with?
Gurung: So far, playing against East Bengal was difficult.
Rahul Bali.
For more on Shillong Lajong, please visit our Shillong Lajong page!
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