The two Chennaiyin FC strikers, Balwant Singh and Jeje Lalpekhlua, have proved their worth in the Indian Super League. While one is good with the aerial ball, the other is quite capable of speedy runs and quick finishes.
The two forwards have caught the attention of the spectators with their wonderful exhibition of attacking football.
Balwant’s opportunistic strike in Chennaiyin FC’s first away match against Goa FC and Jeje’s quick finish in the home match against Mumbai City FC stood out.
Against table-topper Atletico de Kolkata here on Tuesday, the two got a chance to play only towards the end. Balwant nearly struck a goal immediately after entering the field.
His right-foot shot just outside the box beat the Cameroon goalkeeper Edel Apoula Edima Bete but went on to hit the post.
Jeje said it had been a pleasure to play with a marquee player such as Elano Blumer of Brazil. “Elano is a very good player as everyone knows. You don’t need to understand the language. If you play with a good player, it is easy to understand what he is trying to say,” said Jeje.
ConcentrationOn the other hand, Balwant said concentration was the key. “It’s not as tough as people think it is. If you concentrate hard, you can play well with them (top foreign players).”
Playing for Mohun Bagan in the I-League, according to Jeje, was a dream come true.
If Jeje is a much-sought after player, the credit should go to Pune FC, which gave him the stage when he was a mere 17-year-old.
Balwant, who was adjudged the Football Players’ Association of India Player of the Year, owes much of his success to Churchill Brothers, with whom he bagged the Federation Cup title last year.
“I made my comeback after an injury and became the top-scorer in the I-League for Churchill with 17 goals (from 31 appearances),” he said.
The people who inspired Jeje to take up the sport were his father and Shylo Malswamthluanga, popularly called ‘Mama’. ‘Mama’ is the first Mizoram player to play for a big club outside the State and is also the first player to wear the India jersey.
Balwant, though has no such inspirational player to follow. Having played for JCT, Salgaocar, Churchill Brothers and Bagan has made him steely and sharp.
The duo has signed up for Bagan this season and has already played a few games together for the club.
Maurice played his first match for Chennaiyin FC as a striker with John Stiven Mendoza on Tuesday. Now that leaves Balwant and Jeje in a tough situation.
But Balwant signed off saying, “There is no fun without competition.”
