From AIFF Academy to Kolkata Derby hero: Revisiting Edmund Lalrindika's Durand Cup glory
Edmund scored a hat trick against Mohun Bagan
His Facebook bio still carries a quiet reminder of those early days: “AIFF Regional Football Academy”. There was a time when Edmund Lalrindika was simply another young boy dreaming of making it in Indian football. Today, that same boy has become the name everyone is talking about.
Long before the roar of the packed stadium, before the headlines and before the spotlight, there was the AIFF youth system.
“I am the product of the AIFF Development Programme”- Edmund Lalrindika
The rise of Edmund Lalrindika
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At the Durand Cup final, Lalrindika didn’t just score three goals. He etched his name into Kolkata derbyhistory, scoring a hat-trick against Mohun Bagan as East Bengal lifted the trophy after a 22-year wait.His three-goal performance in a 4-1 victory instantly turned him from a familiar name in Indianfootball into the face of one of the biggest nights in East Bengal’s recent history
When Edmund was questioned regarding how he has experienced, being part of the AIFF Development Programme and also how it shaped his football journey and career.
Edmund replied with a nostalgic tone in his words, “I joined the AIFF Development Programme at around 11 and spent my youth career there. It taught me discipline and shaped me as a player, playing a big role in where I am today.”
Furthermore he was asked how he thinks AIFF’s grassroot programmes in his state are helping young footballers develop.
He replied “It is very important for young players to learn the basics and develop their skills from an early age. I was lucky to have those facilities, and I’m really thankful to the AIFF for the opportunities I received. I feel very lucky to have been part of that programme, and everything I learned there has helped me as I have grown older.”
But perhaps the most beautiful part of Lalrindika’s story is that this moment did not come out of nowhere. The Durand Cup final was also a personal moment for Edmund Lalrindika. Before the match, he and his sister had prayed for a hat-trick, and after completing it, his first thought was to thank God.
“The first thing I remembered was to give glory to God,” he said.
“For every Indian player, it would be a dream to play against Brazil,”: Edmund Lalrindika
The victory also carried extra meaning for East Bengal after last season’s semi-final exit. Edmund was pleased to finally lift the trophy and credited the new season’s success to coach, Antonio López Habas.
“This is just the beginning, and I hope we can win many more trophies with Habas in the future,” he said.
With the India-Brazil match ahead, Edmund Lalrindika knows what the opportunity could mean. “For every Indian player, it would be a dream to play against Brazil,” he said.
But he is not looking too far ahead. His focus remains on East Bengal and earns his place through performances.
“All I can do is work hard and give my best for my club. If I get called up, I will give everything to my country.”
From an AIFF youth prospect to an India international, and now a derby hero, Edmund Lalrindika’s story is a reminder that sometimes football takes its time to introduce its heroes. And when it finally does, it does so with a moment impossible to forget.
Long before the roar of the packed stadium, before the headlines and before the spotlight, there was the AIFF youth system.
How did Edmund Lalrindika perform in the Durand Cup final?
Lalrindika scored three goals as East Bengal defeated Mohun Bagan 4-1 in the final and lifted the Durand Cup after a 22-year wait.
When did Edmund Lalrindika join the AIFF Development Programme?
According to Lalrindika, he joined the AIFF Development Programme at around the age of 11 and spent his youth career there.
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Rohit Mistri is a sports journalist from Kolkata with over two years of experience in the field. He has extensively covered Indian football, including major tournaments such as the Calcutta Football League and the Indian Super League. His work spans on-ground reporting, match coverage, and in-depth storytelling, along with interviews of prominent sporting personalities. Rohit brings strong communication skills and a deep passion for sports narratives to everything he writes.