AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Blue Tigers and SC East Bengal midfield maestro Eugeneson Lyngdoh feels he 'can't explain' his feelings to be 'part of a team that plays one of the biggest derbies in the world' during a freewheeling chat with AIFF TV.

"As a player, (I) can't explain how I'm feeling to be part of the match. It's really exciting to be part of a team that plays one of the biggest derbies in the world," Lyngdoh said, referring to the upcoming Kolkata Derby scheduled to take place at the Tilak Maidan, Goa on Friday (November 27, 2020). The match will kick-off at 7:30 PM IST.

While it will be SC East Bengal's first match of their  Hero Indian Super League 2020-21, their city rivals ATK Mohun Bagan kicked off their campaign with a 1-0 win over Kerala Blasters on opening day.
The 34-year-old mentioned that he is excited and 'looking forward' to the much-awaited big game, having followed the iconic rivalry for many years.

"Because of the long-cherished rivalry between the two clubs, it has become one of the biggest derbies in the world. Now, I'm on the cusp of playing my part in the match which I have followed since long. I can't express how much I'm looking forward to it," he stated.    

"When we look at it (Kolkata Derby) as a footballer, it's immense. Playing in a Kolkata Derby, that too representing SC East Bengal, is beyond my expectation," Lyngdoh added. 

With the current season being played without fans in the galleries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the playmaker empathized with the supporters and said that he can 'feel their pain'.

He averred, "Unfortunately, the circumstances won't allow us to play this match in front of our fans. Football is nothing without its fans. They cry with you, they share the joy with you -- they take the game to another level. Being an ardent football fan myself, I can relate and feel the pain."

(Image Courtesy: SC East Bengal)