One of the most creative midfielders in the squad, Lalrempuia Fanai is currently part of the Under-23 National camp which is underway in Goa.
Painfully shy and modest, the midfielder prefers to answer long questions put to him with a shy smile. On the football pitch however, a different persona takes over and the shy and quiet youngster becomes a full blooded warrior dexterously making his way through opposition formations and setting up plays for his team mates to pounce upon and score.
We caught up with Puia, as he is fondly known as, for a quick chat about his game and what does a call up for a national team camp means to him.
Excerpts;
How does it feel to be called up for a National camp?
I come in from Mizoram and the football that I grew up playing over there was hard, fast and very intense. So that kind of playing style has always been a part of my game. When I came to Pune FC in the Under-19 academy, I just learnt to improve on my game which was very raw prior to that. And as the days have gone by I feel I have gotten much better. So coming back to the question, when I first heard that I had been called for the National camp it took me a while to register the same. I didn’t even inform my family till the time I was absolutely sure that my name was there in the list. It just took me a while to actually register that I was going to a national team selection camp.
You have had a good season. Also the fact that you come from the academy means you are accustomed to the way the team plays. How will you use that experience in the camp?
As I said good, hard, intense football is something that I love, that I play and that I have been groomed for. Yes I have had a good season. As far as what I will be taking to the national team camp goes, I will be taking my skills as a footballer. I feel the club has helped me evolve as a footballer and that over the years my skills have only been honed and improved. I think that is what I will be taking to the camp.
How did your family react eventually after you told them?
They were very happy. Me coming this far as a footballer is the result of their unparalleled support and faith in my game. They told me that they had always prayed that I do well and that this was the first step towards a bigger goal. It is very important to have that kind of support you know. While you are playing the game on the field it is a very reassuring thing to know that there are people who fully believe in you.
