By Nilanjan Datta,
AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: After the strenuous morning session, it was out of mere courtesy that you offered a Cake to Jeje Lalpekhlua. He refused. “Lots of sugar and fat,” he said. It left you in a dilemma as to whether to go ahead or ignore the slice.

Some minutes later at the Team Hotel, Lalpekhlua attributed his “re-birth” to hard work. “An injury had robbed me of my confidence. I had to bounce back and for that, I realized that I needed to do extra,” he stated. “In modern day Football you need to do the extra bit by yourself if you want to excel.”

Barely 24, Lalpekhlua is already a veteran having debuted for the Indian Senior National Team at 20.

“Stephen Constantine has fine-tuned my movements inside the box. I owe him a lot. He has helped me regaining my confidence. He always stresses that hard work beats talent. I am a firm believer in that,” he smiles.

Some 45 minutes later you post it to the gaffer about his “rebirth.”

“Jeje is willing to work hard. He is blessed with a good physique. He needed somebody to make him believe that he had the ability. He is a grinder and is an asset,” Constantine believes.

Jeje certifies there’s a “lot of new things happening” in the National Team setup.

“For the first time we are using GPS systems during our training and even during International matches. The records are at your face and it’s so much useful to the Players,” he informs.

“Unfortunately, we can’t avail such facilities in the Club setup. So it’s up to you to take care of yourself and do that extra bit,” the “extra” comes back in Jeje’s talk.

“Life of an injured Player is the toughest. You stay low on confidence and the reality strikes you that you need to it all by yourself.”

You glance through the history book only to find out that India despite all its golden days have last beaten Iran in 1959.

“It’s hard for the Coach to set up the Team in such a short duration. He doesn’t have much time. Playing in Iran will be tough. We need to take inspiration from our triumph in the SAFF Suzuki Cup and give or best,” Jeje who had scored a goal in the Final against Afghanistan pronounces.

“The Team is slowly gelling together and settling down. There have been 22 new Players who have come into the National Team. You cannot expect them to excel in International Football on the first day itself,” he goes on.

“The most positive part in the present squad stays that none stays sure of his place in the Team. The Coach wants all to give 100 percent and only the best will play.”

Jeje a product of the AIFF Youth Development Programme also made a mention of Colm Toal and Desmond Bulpin, both of whose guidance he stays indebted to as they “laid the platform” for him.

“During my U-19 days I was injured for a long period. But Colm-Sir (Toal) persisted with me. He kept me in the Camp, didn’t allow me to move out and was patient. I was so much touched. That doesn’t happen with all your Coaches. Then in the first season in Indian Arrows, Desmond-Sir (Bulpin) used to work tirelessly with me to improve on my finishing. Working with them made me confident.”