Hyderabad FC midfielder Isaac Vanmalsawma, who arrived as a free agent from Punjab FC earlier this year, has impressed with his performances at the centre of the park this campaign. The 28-year-old showcased his skills with the ball in their 0-2 loss to Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Wednesday, 30 October as well.
Although the Nawabs failed to create many chances in front of goal, Vanmalsawma was at the vanguard in central midfield, running the show alongside fellow new signing Andrei Alba. His passing accuracy was an impressive 75 per cent in the game along with a 100 per cent record in duels won.
He created a veritable triangle along with the Brazilian Alba and central attacking midfielder Cy Goddard in this game, and this was visible in Hyderabad’s rousing performances against Chennaiyin FC at home and Mohammedan SC away earlier this season as well.
To put it simply, Vanmalsawma has gradually become the master of the Nawabs’ engine room this season. He has also given Alba, Lenny Rodrigues and Ayush Adhikari stiff competition for a spot in central midfield. In an exclusive chat with IFTWC, the humble and modest Mizo spoke about the ongoing campaign.
“We played good football against Mohun Bagan, but we know that they are a top team. If we give them even half a chance, they are known to convert them into opportunities. They played very well, and we had to be tight in some regards. However, I am happy with the way the team is progressing and improving,” said Vanmalsawma.
“We are all giving our best trying to become better at training every day, and I think the results are showing. We are working hard to gain new skills and make some changes to our tempo while passing, and this is showing. It did come off in some aspects in the game against Mohun Bagan, but as I said, they are a top team, and they played well,” added Vanmalsawma.
“We stick to the plan that our coach (Thangboi Singto) gives us. We do not give up and we do not really see how big or difficult our opponents are. I think we communicate well and fight for every ball. If we do not fight for every ball, it gets difficult, and Mohun Bagan showed it to us in that game,” he elaborated.
Isaac Vanmalsawma – “I am actually an attacking midfielder so I like to attack more“
Vanmalsawma, who moved from Odisha FC to Punjab FC in the 2024 winter transfer window, has the advantage of working with Hyderabad coach Thangboi Singto in the past. The duo worked with each other in Shillong Lajong, with Singto even using Vanmalsawma as an attacking midfielder or a winger in the 2016-17 I-League season.
“I am actually an attacking midfielder so I like to attack more. Whenever I get the ball, I like to go forward and push for chances. It is important for players like us to create chances so that our striker and wingers can come into the game. I like to do my bit for the team be it while attacking or defending. Overall, I think that the role of a midfielder is to maintain a balance between attack and defence, and we are working hard on that in training,” said Vanmalsawma.
When asked about how it feels to move to Hyderabad, Vanmalsawma was effusive in his praise for the city of pearls. He mentioned that a lot of hard work is going on behind the scenes at training, and it will only culminate when the side ends up winning silverware of some kind.
“I like the city of Hyderabad. I like living here. Everything is nice. My teammates are wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoy working with the coaches. I also like the atmosphere that the fans create at our stadium. We are all working hard to get positive results, and hopefully, we can achieve something substantial in the future,” he signed off.
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