I-League: Penn Orji & I have different playing styles – East Bengal’s Ryuji Sueoka

Sueoka (in blue) has now joined East Bengal (Photo Credit: AIFF Media)

Nigerian playmaker Penn Orji was a key member of Trevor Morgan’s three-year spell at East Bengal but following the departure of the English coach, Penn too left the club and joined local rivals Mohammedan Sporting.

The opinion about Penn is divided among East Bengal fans but there is no doubt that the former JCT man played an important part in the red-and-gold brigade’s consistency over the last three campaigns.

Japanese Ryuji Sueoka has been entrusted to fill the void left behind by Penn but the former Mohun Bagan attacking media pointed out in his first press conference as an East Bengal player that he would aim to impose his own identity.

“Penn had a good time at East Bengal but we have different playing styles. I will not focus on what he did previously and there will be no additional pressure about that. My target will be to show my own qualities and help East Bengal become I-League champions,” Sueoka told the reporters at the East Bengal club tent on Monday.

Sueoka is looking forward to work with his new teammates under Brazilian coach Marcos Falopa and believes a diamond system in midfield would suit him the best. For the majority of last season, Sueoka operated as a striker for Dempo but the Japanese added that he would be comfortable playing anywhere in the final third.

“I can adapt to different positions, whether it be right or left midfield or just behind the striker and even upfront, I have the experience of playing in all those positions. I don’t know what formation we will play here but I think if we have a diamond system in midfield it would be perfect for me because then I would be able to support the strikers better,” Sueoka opined.

Sueoka had a short stint at Mohun Bagan in the 2009-10 season before moving to Salgaocar the following campaign when he won the I-League. After two seasons with Salgaocar, Sueoka joined Dempo in 2012 and thus is returning to Kolkata after three seasons.

He explained that the passion for the beautiful game in Kolkata was one of the main reasons why he wanted to move to the Bengal capital but was lost for words when asked why he chose East Bengal over his former club Mohun Bagan, who were also interested in his signature.

“Goa has a lot of passion for football but here it is much more. The fans are absolutely mad here about the game and their club so I always wanted to come back and play in Kolkata,” he said.

“Why I chose East Bengal over Mohun Bagan? Well….” after a long pause, he stated, “I don’t know to be honest. See I wouldn’t like to compare the two clubs but one thing’s for sure East Bengal approached me in a very nice way and they have been a successful team for the last three seasons.”

Maybe over the course of the season the reason will become clearer but Sueoka admitted that he still shares a good relationship with current Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa, who brought him to India for the first time more than three years ago.

“Yes I am still good friends with him (Bencherifa) but I want to focus on my time at East Bengal now,” the 34-year-old said.

Sueoka played under Bencherifa at both Mohun Bagan and Salgaocar and also played with current East Bengal striker Edeh Chidi in those two clubs.

“I have a very good understanding with Chidi on the pitch so that would be helpful for me here at East Bengal. I don’t know every player here but there is no doubt that they have been one of the most consistent I-League teams in the last three years. I am here to get East Bengal the I-League trophy which has been missing,” Sueoka commented.

Nigeria has been the most represented foreign nationality in the I-League but the sub-plot of this season’s big Kolkata derby will be the battle of the Japanese playmakers: East Bengal’s Sueoka and Mohun Bagan’s Katsumi Yusa.
But the experienced Sueoka believes the presence of him and his compatriot Yusa will help create a bridge between India and Japan.

“I think it’s great that both of us are playing in Kolkata. We want to act as the bridge between the two countries. I believe Indian football has improved in the last three years but progress has been very slow. Now Japan is the number one team in Asia but twenty years ago that wasn’t the case so I am sure Indian football can learn a lot from Japanese football,” he concluded.

Sueoka had a long-term injury at Dempo last season but is fully fit now and will be attending the club’s first day of pre-season training, which will be on Wednesday. He will be wearing the number ‘11’ jersey.