Latest news with #EdmundLalrindika
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
From OT to the big league: Edmund scripts a spine-chilling comeback
Edmund Lalrindika is now also the only player from the I-League to make it to Manolo Marquez's national team probables Panaji: Edmund Lalrindika remembers holding his teary-eyed sister's hand and telling her, from a hospital bed, not to worry. It was hours before he was to be wheeled into the operation theatre on March 7, 2022. A spine injury had put a question mark over the young striker's future, threatening to end a promising career that saw him captain India juniors. Two doctors that Edmund consulted over his injury told him he would never play football again. The third provided some hope. Football wasn't recommended, but he could try his hand at non-contact sports, 'probably badminton or tennis.' Despite the grim diagnosis from three top doctors, Edmund refused to give up. His life, and that of his near ones, depended on him cutting uncompromising defenders to size. Eighteen months later he was back on the field, and even though it only resulted in Bengaluru FC terminating his contract after a not-too-impressive campaign at the Durand Cup, his move to I-League debutants Inter Kashi in the second tier of Indian football changed everything. The Mizo ended as the club's top scorer, made heads turn with stunning goals in the I-League, trained with Atletico Ottawa, a leading team in the Canadian Premier League, and has now returned to the top-tier of Indian football with East Bengal paying Rs 1 crore, a record sum, for his transfer from Inter Kashi. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Keep Your Home Efficient with This Plug-In elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Learn More Undo The striker is now also the only player from the I-League to make it to Manolo Marquez's national team probables. 'Before the surgery, everyone was too tense,' Edmund told TOI recently. 'They knew what the doctors had said, but I told my sister, 'your brother will play football, and I will be my best version as a footballer. I am a Christian, I am a believer, and I had faith. It is this faith that helped me make a comeback.' Edmund, 26, said the signs of his injury were there during the 2021-22 season when he played through pain. 'I should have rested, but I kept going, thinking I'd get a chance (in a star-studded Bengaluru squad).' After a complicated surgery, it wasn't easy. For four months, Edmund was rooted to his bed, helpless. Then he started taking baby steps. It wasn't until a year later that he could jog a bit, then run. The dream of returning to competitive football still appeared far-fetched. Edmund didn't give up. Eighteen months later he returned to play for Bengaluru but it wasn't convincing enough. Parting of ways followed. 'I can understand why Bengaluru terminated the contract. I must thank the club. Although I didn't get enough chances because it's a big club, and I was very young, they provided me with the best facilities, the best rehab (for treatment) and the best doctors. If the club had not provided such support, I would have never made it,' said Edmund. After parting ways with Bengaluru, Edmund was on his own. Nobody wanted to touch him. Understandable for a player who had undergone spine surgery and looked a far cry from the player who was part of every junior India squad from the U-16s in 2013. When Inter Kashi presented him with another opportunity, he quickly grabbed it. The rest, as they say, is history. 'Injuries are part of football. As footballers, when you face such adversities, you need to be tough. My mentality was strong. I always had faith in God and that helped me a lot. When you are down, hit rock bottom, it's important to get up. My understanding about life is now much better than what it was before (surgery). I can deal with anything,' said Edmund. He's a much better footballer too. Across four previous seasons in the Indian Super League (ISL), his numbers made for poor reading: five appearances in 2018-19 was the best he could manage. For the next three, he played two minutes one year, 14 minutes the next and 106 minutes over three appearances the year he got injured. With Inter Kashi, he was the first name on the coach's team list, playing every game. Now he's keen to prove himself in the top tier too with East Bengal, and of course the national team, where he is no stranger to the India jersey 'I am not new to East Bengal. I've played there before but got injured. I always wanted to come back; it's one of the biggest clubs in India. Even with the national team, I know I can do better. There are many players who have played alongside me (during junior days). I always believed that I could catch up with them. They've been my teammates before. I believe I can be there (on top) one day,' said Edmund.
Hans India
08-05-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Edmund Lalrindika replaces Irfan Yadwad in provisional squad for Thailand friendlies
New Delhi: Forward Edmund Lalrindika has been named replacement for Irfan Yadwad, who will be unavailable due to an appendix operation, in the 28-member probables squad that will assemble in Kolkata on May 18, to train for the FIFA International window in June. "Forward Edmund Lalrindika will report to the Senior India National Team camp on May 18, in place of Irfan Yadwad, who will be unavailable due to an appendix operation," the Indian Football team wrote on X. Lalrindika made his international debut against Kuwait on June 6 in a 0-0 draw. The Mizoram forward also scored four goals and five assists during the 2024-25 season, which saw his I-League club Inter Kashi finish second, one point behind leaders Churchill Brothers. India are on the preparation path for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 Final Round qualifiers, where they are placed in Group C, along with Bangladesh, Hong Kong and Singapore, with the qualifiers being played in a home-and-away round robin format. The Indian team's next big challenge is against Hong Kong, who they will play away on June 10 at the Kai Tak Sports Park, in Kowloon City. The first two matches in Group C, between India and Bangladesh in Shillong, and between Singapore and Hong Kong, China, in Singapore, ended in stalemates, leaving all four teams with a point apiece. As part of their preparations for the Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, India will have a 10-day training camp in Kolkata, before they fly off to Bangkok to play a FIFA International Friendly against Thailand on June 4. The team will subsequently travel to Hong Kong, for their Asian Cup qualifier. India's 28-member probables for Kolkata camp: Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh. Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, Anwar Ali, Thangjam Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu. Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes. Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte. Head coach: Manolo Marquez.
The Hindu
08-05-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Edmund Lalrindika replaces Irfan Yadwad in provisional India squad for Thailand friendlies
Inter Kashi striker Edmund Lalrindika will replace Irfan Yadwad in the provisional India squad for its matches in the June international window, with the latter unavailable due to medical commitments. 'Forward Edmund Lalrindika will report to the Senior India National Team camp on May 18, in place of Irfan Yadwad, who will be unavailable due to an appendix operation,' the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said in a statement on Thursday. The Blue Tigers are scheduled to have a 10-day national camp in Kolkata, starting May 18, after which it will travel to Thailand for a friendly next month. India is currently eyeing three consecutive qualifications in the AFC Asian Cup, and is drawn in Group C with Bangladesh, Hong Kong China, and Singapore in the third round of qualifiers. The first two qualifiers in Group C, between India and Bangladesh in Shillong, and between Singapore and Hong Kong, China, in Singapore, ended in stalemates, leaving all four teams with a point apiece. After the friendly, Manolo Marquez's team will travel to Hong Kong to play it at the Kai Tak Sports Park in Kowloon City on June 10. FULL INDIA SQUAD Goalkeepers: Hrithik Tiwari, Vishal Kaith, Gurmeet Singh Chahal, Amrinder Singh. Defenders: Naorem Roshan Singh, Rahul Bheke, Konsham Chinglensana Singh, Anwar Ali, Thangjam Boris Singh, Sandesh Jhingan, Asish Rai, Subhasish Bose, Mehtab Singh, Tekcham Abhishek Singh, Nikhil Prabhu. Midfielders: Suresh Singh Wangjam, Naorem Mahesh Singh, Ayush Dev Chhetri, Udanta Singh Kumam, Lalengmawia Ralte, Liston Colaco, Ashique Kuruniyan, Brandon Fernandes. Forwards: Sunil Chhetri, Edmund Lalrindika, Manvir Singh, Suhail Ahmad Bhat, Lallianzuala Chhangte. Head Coach: Manolo Márquez. Related Topics Irfan Yadwad
