Will celebrate birthday by winning against Churchill tomorrow: Jeje Lalpekhlua
The striker eyeing a second I League title with Mohun Bagan
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Jeje Lalpekhlua celebrating his birthday with team mates. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption]
Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s star striker Jeje Lalpekhlua, who enjoyed his 26
th birthday on Saturday, would like to reserve the celebrations till tomorrow. Mohun Bagan will take on Churchill Brothers at Barasat stadium on Sunday in their first I League match.The Mizo forward did cut a cake with his teammates after the practice session today.
“I want to celebrate my birthday tomorrow with a win against Churchill,” said Jeje at the club lawn today.It is likely that Jeje will be coming as a substitute in Mohun Bagan’s I League opener against Churchill Brothers. The diminutive striker looks upbeat ahead of the new season. According to Jeje, “It is a new season and a new beginning for us. We have to leave behind the successes we had in the last two seasons.”
On being asked what his personal targets will be this season, a confident Jeje said, “I have to be more determined this season as this season I have to work even harder and play for the fans that have supported me throughout my journey.”
The AIFF’s Player of the Year 2016 has already set his targets for the season. He said, “My personal target is to give more than my cent percent in every match that I play in the hope of winning the Hero I-League trophy again.”
Mohun Bagan missed the title by a whisker to Bengaluru FC after sharing a lead over them for most part of the I League last season. Jeje do not want the same mistake be repeated this season.
“We had a lead of 7 points but lost the title in the last lap. We do not want the same mistake repeated.”
On being asked about the club’s objective this season, Jeje said, “Mohun Bagan will stop at nothing less than winning the Hero I-League Trophy. The squad is shaping up good and the lads are putting in the hard work in the training sessions. We just have to emulate what we have learnt on the field and play with everything that we have.”
Lastly, asked about the challenges from Bengaluru FC, Jeje commented,
“The title challenge is not just going to be posed by Bengaluru FC, but by every Team which is participating. All Teams in the Hero I-League are on the same page this year and every Team has the potential to be crowned as the eventual winners.”
