Soumo Ghosh

AIFF Media Team

BANGKOK, THAILAND: The India U-17s were down; by one goal, to be precise. But they were not out. It was with a little over 20 minutes to go, with India relentlessly trying to get the equaliser, that Malemngamba Thokchom dropped back a few yards to collect a pass from Gurnaj Singh Grewal, thus creating some space in front of the Vietnam defenders at the Thammasat Stadium in Pathum Thani, Thailand, in their first match of Group D.

Seeing the opposition goalkeeper slightly out of position, Thokchom let one fly, fishing for the top corner. And indeed, it sailed into the top corner, well out of the reach of the opposition goalkeeper. The distance was around 25 yards, but that the goal took India in the context of their AFC U-17 Asian Cup campaign is immeasurable. It was a goal that put him on the Asian Football Confederation’s list of Future Stars of Matchday 1 in the AFC U-17 Asian Cup.

"I didn’t really think much of it when I scored. There was some space, so I thought I could take my time and go for it," said Thokchom. "Their goalkeeper was also a bit out of position, and I felt I could chip it in. Maybe he did not expect me to try my luck from that distance and angle, but it worked."

It was soon after the end of the match that Thokchom realised what he had done. "I wasn’t prepared for all the attention and love that I received after the final whistle. Everyone was talking about that goal, and so many people came up to me and asked me about it. It was only then that I realised I had done something special," he smiled.

The 15-year-old, who has been with the India U-17s since the team started training in February last year, has played an integral role for his side’s SAFF U-17 Championship victory, and successful qualification for the AFC U-17 Asian Cup. The son of a fisherman from the Awang Mamang Leikai area of Manipur, Thokchom would probably be following his father out on their fishing boat, had football not happened in his life.

"Fishing has been the lifeline for our family ever since I remember. My father goes out to fish, and when I’m at home, I also go out with him on our boat. It’s quite peaceful. I like to go fishing," he said.

The calm and collective boy, who has a perpetual smile on his face, began playing the beautiful game with his friends at a young age, and soon joined the Thoubal Youth Development Association, which gave him the platform to move on to the Sports Authority of India, Imphal. It was at SAI where he honed his skills till he got selected in the trials for the India U-17 National Team.

"I was so happy after being selected. I promised myself to work hard and do everything possible to become a successful professional footballer," said Thokchom.

The India U-17s currently are in a tight spot in Group D of the AFC U-17 Asian Cup where anything can happen. All four teams – Japan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and India are tied on one point each, and the next match against Uzbekistan (June 20) could prove to be crucial for the Blue Colts’ quarter-final chances.

"Our target is solely on making it out of the group stage right now. We play Uzbekistan next, and we need to bring our best game to the pitch against them," he said. "It’s all one game at a time now. We just need to back ourselves and go out there and perform," said the youngster.