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Playing Against Bayern Is A Lifetime Opportunity For Us - India's Jeje Lalpekhlua
Two budding Indian strikers highlight the impact of Bhaichung Bhutia on their careers and the golden opportunity of getting to play against Bayern Munich...
08-Jan-2012 9:45:00 AM
Pune FC
The duo of Jeje Lalpekhlua, who turned 20 on Saturday, and C.S. Sabeeth, both of whom have been together for India U-23 at the Olympic Qualifiers, just can't wait to get on the field against the Bayern Munich side.
“This is a lifetime opportunity for us. International scheduling in football doesn’t permit one to get on the same field against such renowned clubs. But here we are playing against Bayern Munich,”Jeje confessed.
“All of them are international stars. The entire footballing fraternity will be keeping a close eye on the match,” he added.
“We speak of exposure tours every alternate minute. Can any tour get bigger than this?” Sabeeth questioned rhetorically.
 Indian Icon Bhaichung Bhutia Bids His Farewell |
“I’m lucky to be in the squad for this match. It’s for us to learn, the more the better for us,” he continued.
The duo haven't yet played together with Bhaichung Bhutia and that it makes all the more significant for them. “Bhaichung has been the most deadly Indian striker I have seen,” Sabeeth stated. “His commitment and his reflexes are a lesson for any young player.”
Jeje added: “It’s fortunate that I get to play with Bhaichung. It’s unfortunate that I won’t ever get a chance to play with him again. He is such a great player.”
“Bhaichung was such an aggressive striker. He always had the ability to put the rival defence under pressure,” Sabeeth maintained.
The Indian team will be having their first practice session at the Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday.
The list of 23 players is as follows:
GOALKEEPERS: Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar SC), Subhasish Roy Chowdhury (Dempo SC), Felix D'Souza (Churchill Brothers).
DEFENDERS: Jaspal Singh (Salgaocar), Samir Naik (Dempo SC), Gouramangi Moirangthem (Churchill Brothers), Govin Moirangthem (United Sikkim Football Club), Nirmal Chettri (East Bengal), Syed Rahim Nabi (Mohun Bagan), Adil Khan (Sporting Clube de Goa), Gurjinder Singh (Pune FC).
MIDFIELDERS: Reisangmi Vashum (East Bengal), Jewel Raja Shaikh (Mohun Bagan), Climax Lawrence (Dempo SC), Rakesh Masih (Mohun Bagan), Baldeep Singh (Pune FC), Clifford Miranda (Dempo SC), Lalrindika Ralte (Churchill Brothers), Rocus Lamare (Salgaocar).
FORWARDS: Jeje Lalpeklua (Pune FC), Bhaichung Bhutia, Sushil Singh (United Sikkim Football Club), CS Sabeeth (Pailan Arrows).
Catch India vs Bayern Munich On January 10, 1800 IST Only On Ten Action!
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