ISL: Interview with NorthEast United FC's promising Indian striker Seminlen Doungel
Seminlen Doungel started his youth career in JCT football club. He was a member of JCT’s U19 team. In 2011, the Manipuri youth joined Kolkata giants East Bengal. Due to lack of playing opportunities he was sent on a short loan to Pailan Arrows. After coming back, he made very few first team appearances.
Len, as he is popularly known as, joined Shillong Lajong FC this season. He is a promising and skillful Indian striker who has the ability to score plenty of goals.
Speaking to Sporskeeda, Seminlen Doungel spoke about his admiration for Sunil Chhetri and Lionel Messi and he dreams to play for the senior national team soon.
From JCT’s youth team, to the senior team of one of India’s biggest club East Bengal and now in Indian Super League. Describe your journey so far as an Indian professional footballer.
It has been great so far. I was in JCT’s youth team for two and a half years. Then I joined East Bengal’s U19 team, I scored a hat-trick in one of the games. Then I joined the senior team. I enjoyed my tenure with East Bengal. I got few opportunities in the I-league, scored few goals there. I always gave my 100%.
And now in Indian Super League, I am enjoying here and happy to play for the franchise.
You have been lucky enough to play under some of the finest coaches. Be it Trevor James Morgan, Armando Colaco and now Ricki Herbert. Please tell us about the coaches’ role in building your career.
I have played under very good coaches. I enjoyed playing football under every coach. They were all good.
Now I am under Ricki Herbert. Ricki is a great coach. He supports us every time and encourages us a lot. I can learn a lot of things playing under him.
You have played for India’s U-23 team at the Asian Games this year. Do you think you can make it to the senior national team soon?
I had played one match for the senior team in 2012 against Palestine. I had a good time with the U-23 team at the Asian Games. I am happy with my performance and hope to make it to the senior team soon.
Who is the one Indian and one world footballer you look up to?
In India, it is Sunil Chhetri. He is a great guy and great player. I have played alongside him. He is very good and encourages everybody a lot. Chhetri among the current batch is one player I look up to.
And in World football, it is Lionel Messi. I love his game and he is a great player.
You have played in the I-League and also scored quite a few goals. Which league according to you is tougher to play? Do you think ISL is the perfect platform for emerging talents like you?
It depends, I have played a few games in the I-League and scored goals.
In the Indian Super League, you get immense support from the crowd. It is well marketed and all over Social media. There is pressure to perform. We enjoy a lot playing in this tournament. It is a good tournament for us and helps us to grow as a player.
What is your experience of playing alongside Joan Capdevila, Alexandros Tzorvas, Koke and so many other players who have vast international experience?
They are all great players. They encourage us a lot, they correct our mistakes and helps us in everything. I have learned a lot from them. I hope, playing alongside such great players will help us improve our game.
Most of the I-League sides recruit 2 out of 4 foreigners in the striker position. Does this transfer policy harm the chances of emerging Indian strikers like you to bloom?
I cannot say much on that. I believe if I play well I can make it to the starting XI of my club. It was difficult for me at first in East Bengal. There were many good strikers and I got very less opportunity. It was challenging.
But I think if we play well then we can also make it to the starting line-up. I always try my best and give 100%. For me it’s not a problem rather I enjoy the challenge.