Once in a lifetime opportunity to make India proud: Bengaluru FC's Daniel

Bengaluru FC youngsters Daniel Lalhimpuia and Nishu Kumar said it's a glorious opportunity for them to make India proud when their team takes on Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya of Iraq in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup final on November 5.

"We are already lucky to be part of the team and it is once in a lifetime opportunity for us to make India proud on the big stage. We have trained under some of the best coaches in India and that has helped us a lot," Daniel said.

"I have gathered a lot of experience through Bengaluru FC and training day in and day out with national team players has made me a better player. I have learnt a lot from Sunil-bhai (Chhetri), Eugene-bhai (Lyndoh) and Rino-bhai (Anto). I am very happy to be here at Bengaluru FC," Nishu said.

Both are All India Football Federation (AIFF) youth academy products.

Bengaluru FC beat reigning champions Johor Darul Ta'azim 4-2 on aggregate in the semi-finals to reach the summit clash of the AFC Cup becoming in the process the first Indian club to reach a continental cup final.

"We still have a long way to go as football players, but the AIFF academies helped us go in the right way enabling us to cope with the nitty gritty of the footballing world," Daniel said.

"We have to give it our all if we are selected by the coach (Albert Roca) to play in the final," he added.

--IANS

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