SHILLONG: A youthful Shillong Lajong side has long left behind the away losses as it pulled off three convincing wins in a row to catapult itself to 5th in the Hero I-League standings.
While Cameroonian forward Dipanda Dicka has stood out as the man of the moment in the victories registered, nothing can be taken away from SLFC’s youth brigade, which has ably driven the northeastern side’s surge and newly found form.
One such youth player is midfielder Rupert Nongrum. A product of Lajong’s youth academy like many of his other teammates, Rupert has not only made his presence felt at the centre park but also pushed things ahead in the role of right winger.
Having seen his side through to three wins on the trot, Rupert, whose 17th minute goal against Minerva Punjab ensured the first home victory for the Reds, is hungry for more.
“It’s been really good so far but I think we can do much better,” said the ambitious 21-year-old to The Shillong Times.
Rupert feels that his side can make a clean sweep of the 5 home games before they play East Bengal in an away match. It may be mentioned that three matches are already in the Reds’ kitty. “We can pull off a clean sweep, the team is upbeat,” said Rupert adding that he is enjoying his role as an attacking midfielder.
“Fitness is the key at this level, you have to fit to the team’s requirements,” said Rupert, who has represented the country at the U-16 and U-19 levels.
The lad, who had joined the SLFC youth academy in 2009 and made a smooth transition to various youth teams and finally to the senior team, also expressed happiness at the fact that the side was gelling well now and the “experience of the foreigners is also trickling down to us and the difference is already visible”.
Disappointed at the sight of empty stands at the JN Stadium the youngster a fervent appeal to the fans to come and support the hosts in large numbers.
“The support this season has been found wanting so far. We have left the away losses behind and look forward to maintain the winning spree here on, we need the fans by our side.”
Lajong, who have beaten Minerva, Mumbai FC and Chennai City, will play Churchill Brothers on Sunday.
