Chennaiyin FC's Laldinpuia on national team call-up, Owen Coyle, upcoming future goals & more
(Courtesy : Chennaiyin FC media)
Laldinpuia is hungry to play for the national team and to win a trophy with Chennaiyin FC.
Chennaiyin FC signed Laldinpuia Pachuau from Jamshedpur FC in the 2024 summer transfer window. The defender had represented the Men of Steel in three Indian Super League (ISL) seasons before moving to the Southern giants.
The Mizoram-based defender had also won the ISL Shield during his time with Jamshedpur FC alongside Chennaiyin FC’s current manager Owen Coyle. The Scotsman has since completely showered his trust in Dinpuia and has made the player a regular in Chennaiyin FC’s starting XI.
Khel Now had a chance to interview Laldinpuia Pachau before Chennaiyin FC’s ISL fixture against Mohun Bagan. The excerpts from the interaction are shared below.
Laldinpuia’s journey in football & favorite football club
Talking about how he got into the sport, Laldinpuia said, “I am from Mizoram. Everyone from Mizoram loves football and it is the main sport of our state. So, everyone, like, as a kid, everyone loved and played football.”
While the Chennaiyin FC defender chuckled and didn’t want to point out who his favourite footballer is, Dinpuia did very enthusiastically mention that he has been a Manchester United fan growing up.
Experience under Owen Coyle
Owen Coyle gave Dinpuia his big break in the ISL giving the youngster his debut in the 2021-22 season. While the Scotsman left Jamshedpur FC after winning the ISL Shield in 2022, Dinpuia stayed at Jamshedpur FC for three years before eventually moving to Chennaiyin FC under Owen Coyle.
When asked how his experience has been under Owen Coyle, Dinpuia said, “Ah, yeah. He’s good. He’s pretty good, you know. Owen Coyle’s style and philosophy are the same. So, it’s easy for me to adapt to his playing style and his system here at Chennaiyin FC.”
Laldinpuia also stated, “Coach is the reason why I joined Chennaiyin FC. He knows me well and I know him. So, I wanted to work with him and also he wanted to work with me again. Hence, it was easy for me to say yes.”
The defender mentioned that while a lot has changed in terms of new players and new teammates, overall he was familiar with Owen Coyle and hence it was pretty easy for him to adapt to Chennaiyin FC’s playing style.
Experience of winning the ISL Shield with Jamshedpur FC
Talking about his ISL Shield-winning campaign under Owen Coyle, Dinpuia commented, “That season was my first season in the ISL. Everything was new for me. Getting the Shield is one of the best moments in my life. So, It was great. Yeah.”
The Chennaiyin FC defender also added that his 2023-24 ISL campaign with Jamshedpur FC in particular has also been one of the highlights of his career so far. Dinpuia added that he felt that the previous season with the Men of Steel had escalated his performance and helped take his game to another level.
Which position is Laldinpuia most comfortable playing in?
Owen Coyle has employed Dinpuia across the Chennaiyin FC backline this season. The Mizo-based defender started as a centre back. He has also played as a right-back and left-back when his team needed him.
When asked what is his natural position on the field, Dinpuia replied, “Technically, I am a centre-back and I love to play as a centre-back. I have more experience in that position. But if the coach needs me to play as a left-back or right-back, at that time, yeah, I can play. But to be honest, centre-back is my main position and I am most comfortable there.”
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Is Dinpuia eyeing a berth in the Indian national football team?
The Indian football team’s manager Manolo Marquez has recently called up Farukh Choudhary, Irfan Yadwad, and Lalrinliana Hnamte from Chennaiyin FC. In Sandesh Jhingan’s absence, the Indian backline did seem a bit exposed. Hence Manolo Marquez could be eyeing other options in central defence in the coming year.
When asked if there is anything specific Laldinpuia needs to improve to become a part of the national team, the Chennaiyin FC defender opined, “Yeah. I think, yeah I need a lot of work to improve.
“I mean, I have to play well and play consistently. For me, right now, it’s difficult because I play as a left-back, right-back, center-back. It’s difficult to play consistently. So, if I can play consistently in the upcoming matches, I think I have a chance.”
When asked about his aspirations for the next 2-3 years, the Mizo-defender responded by saying, “Every player wants to represent their country. So, for me also, this is my aim and my goal. The next one, again, without saying, is to win something with Chennaiyin FC.”
How can Chennaiyin FC improve defensively?
The Marina Machans have conceded 15 goals in nine ISL games so far. When asked about how Chennaiyin FC can improve defensively, Dinpuia said, “I think we don’t work enough together. So, I think if we work together and maintain the pace, that can help us.
“When it comes to the goal, yeah. I mean, we have had individual errors and all but we need to manage it. If we concede, we need to make sure that there is no second goal (for the opposition). So, we have to work hard and understand each other. So, that will help us, I think.”
The Chennaiyin FC defender concluded by saying, “Obviously the coach knows better than me. But I believe that we need to defend more as a team and not just the back four.”
Laldinpuia’s message to the Chennaiyin FC fans
Dinpuia, who celebrated his 28th birthday on 29th November 2024, also had a message for the Chennaiyin FC supporters to conclude the interview.
The Chennaiyin FC defender exclaimed, “Keep supporting us. Without you fans, we are nothing. So, keep supporting us. You are our backbone so keep coming and keep supporting – that’s my message to the fans. We’ll reach something and we’ll achieve it together.”
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