Rochharzela: I want to win titles with NorthEast United

The Aizawl FC youth product opened up on his journey so far in an exclusive chat with Khel Now.

Northeast India’s love for ‘The Beautiful Game’ is simply inspirational. Every season, we see a host of bright prospects step into limelight with their brilliance on the pitch. One such talent to make a name for himself in the past couple of seasons is Rochharzela.

 “People in the Northeast region are born with the talent for football. It’s in their blood,” stated Rochharzela as he spoke exclusively to Khel Now.

“Since my high school days, I always wanted to become a professional footballer. At that age, most boys from Mizoram look up to football as a career and want to play for the national team and that is how I started dreaming about it,” he added while explaining his journey towards becoming a professional athlete.

As a youth, the winger then joined the iconic club of the state, Aizawl FC. And just like many others, Aizawl FC had a huge role to play behind Rochharzela’s transformation into a more matured and a focused player. Providing ample opportunities for the local players in the state and grooming them into able players is are some principles that the club has religiously followed since years. And Rochharzela appreciates the policies of the club - giving the domestic players chances in big games, helping them gain good experience at a high level etc.

“I was part of the U-18 team when our senior team won the I-League in 2016-17 season. The atmosphere at the club that time was amazing. It was really inspiring,” Rochharzela recalls the famous victory.

After that season, he gained promotion to the senior team and took his opportunity to make an impact on the senior team. An eight-minute cameo against Shillong Lajong marked his debut in the I-League  as he went on to feature in six more games from the bench in 2017-18 season.

Game after game, Rochharzela showed constant improvement and went on to clock a total of 379 minutes in the following season. He marked his first start for the team with a goal in a 3-2 win against Gokulam Kerala. After that, there was no stopping the winger. He went on to become one of the first names on the team sheet and was a vital cog in the attack last season. For a 21-year-old (now 22), netting six goals in 15 appearances while also providing 24 key passes with 73% accuracy was something to make note of.

Asked about the knack behind him scoring a flurry of goals, he said, “During the training sessions, I tend to practice more on my shooting skills. Ball passing is very important, but for me, scoring goals is of equal importance as it is the deciding factor for football games.”

Further, the winger credits his success in the I-League to his coaches at the Mizoram-based club. “Firstly, it was Nicky Malsawmzuala, who coached me during my academy days. He helped me identify the weaknesses in my game and further in turning them into my strengths.”

“Then came Stanley Rozario – a very important person in my life. At the start, I wasn’t scoring many goals but he supported me like his son and kept me going. He always helped me bring the best out of myself. Today, in my opinion, he is one of the best coaches in India,” added Rochharzela.

When asked about his strengths and the aspects he would like to improve, the player responded by saying, “I think my technical skills are a big positive of my game. But on the other hand, I have to improve on my speed going forward.”

“As a winger, endurance is a very crucial aspect in one’s game. To be a top winger, one must have the ability to dribble, cross and finish,” he added.

Related | Scouting Report- Rochharzela: Who is buzzing Mizo winger?

Moving on, Rochharzela has taken a leap forward in his career by signing for Indian Super League outfit NorthEast United. He revealed about his ambitions while representing the Highlanders from the next season onward.

“I want to perform up to the best of my abilities. It is my ambition to win titles with the club and I want to leave a mark in the Indian Super League,” he asserted.

Towards the end of the conversation, Rochharzela revealed his idol as a player. “Cristiano Ronaldo is my idol in football. With his winning mentality, the hard work he put in training, I think he is the best player in the world and I want to become like him.”