By Our Reporter
Shillong, Dec 8: Shillong Lajong Football Club officially announced the departure of Japanese forward Takuto Miki on Thursday. Although the cause of this sudden development was not clearly mentioned by the club in their press statement, it was learned that the separation was a mutual decision, raising eyebrows as Miki had exhibited commendable performance on the field in the ongoing I-League campaign.
In an exclusive telephonic interview with The Shillong Times, Miki revealed that his decision to part ways with Shillong Lajong was primarily influenced by the insufficient game time he experienced in the six matches he played for the club. Despite showcasing an impressive performance on the field, scoring two goals, including the club’s opening goal against Mohammedan Sporting on November 3rd, Miki found himself wanting more opportunities to contribute.
Another noteworthy display occurred during the draw against Sreenidi Deccan at home. In the interview, Miki stated, “I do not want to sound negative; I am extremely happy with my short stint with Shillong Lajong, and I wish the club all the success going ahead. However, I was performing well in the I-League and therefore wanted more game time. I wanted to play more than 80 minutes in every match, but that was not happening.”
The 20-year-old Japanese striker emphasized his desire to give his best in each match and expressed the need for more playing time to achieve that. Despite discussions with coach Bobby Nongbet, Miki found it challenging to secure longer game time, as it contradicted the team’s current tactics. “I am 20 now and want to give my best in each match, and for that, I have to play for a longer time than I was getting at Shillong Lajong. I talked with the coach, but he said longer time is not possible as it is against the team’s tactics, so I decided to part ways with the club,” Miki explained.
Miki, currently in Japan, clarified his decision to leave the club and revealed his intention to explore opportunities with European clubs. He expressed a desire to perform under more experienced coaches and continue his football journey in a setting that aligns with his aspirations.
As Shillong Lajong bids farewell to Takuto Miki, fans are left contemplating the circumstances surrounding the departure of a player who showed promise on the field but sought greater playing opportunities to further enhance his skills and contribute to the team’s success.
However, Shillong Lajong, in an official statement, conveyed their commitment to reinforce the team by securing a replacement for the void left by Miki’s departure. The club highlighted their appreciation for his efforts and expressed optimism about finding a suitable replacement.