Getting past six defenders and slotting the ball into the net is a rarity that belongs to sorcerers of football who, on their day, move the ball at their will and do things which are beyond our imagination. In modern football we become deponents to such wizardry when the likes of lionel Messi or Eden Hazard take control of the ball and play at the optimum level of their game.
So the chances of witnessing such goal in a country like India, where football is a poor cousin of cricket, are next to impossible. But on Thursday, Indian Arrows' Nongdamba Naorem did produce something similar in I-league. The 17-year-old weaved through the barrier of Shillong lajong defenders and guided the ball past the goalkeeper with palpable ease.
With full confidence, Naorem said it was among the best goals he has ever scored.
"This was one of my best goals. After getting the ball from Abhishek (Halder) on left, dribbling was my first instinct. I kept getting away from the defenders and when I finally got rid of all of them, I was alone with the keeper for a moment, so I took the shot," said the Imphal-born footballer.
Those who have seen the teenager in action during the FIFA under-17 World Cup in October are aware of the talent Naorem possesses. He gave a horrid time to United States of America's and Colombia's defensive line with his intricate runs.
But he is often panned by critics for not adding value to his chances, probably the reason why he isn't a regular feature in the starting line-up of coach luis Norton de Matos. To make things worse, he was kept out from the squad against Gokulam Kerala FC — whom Arrows lost 2-0 to on December 22.
Naorem said not getting picked was at the back of his mind as he was raring to get in and prove his mettle.
"When I wasn't picked in the squad against Gokulam, my initial reaction wasn't a happy one; I was actually angry about it. But I thought I have to respect these decisions and decided to wait for my opportunity. I told myself that I must prove my ability whenever I get the next opportunity to play. I am glad I made a strong point with that goal," he explained.
Naorem added that Matos had asked him to be more productive with the chances thrown at him after the World Cup.
"After the World Cup, when we went for AFC qualifiers (in Dubai), coach asked me to improve certain aspects of my game. He said he liked my dribbling ability but he wanted me to make them count, either by scoring or earning a penalty," said the footballer, who plays on-loan for Arrows from Minerva Punjab.
When asked if he feels more confident about starting more for Arrows in the upcoming I-league games, Naorem said he always feels he should be in the line-up.
"Before any game, I always feel I will be in the starting XI or in the squad but that doesn't always happen and I don't always get picked. I assume it has something to do with the match tactics and I got to respect coach's decision," said the Minerva Punjab-contracted footballer.
Coming back to the lajong game, Naorem said the dressing room was intense and keen to go out and win at any cost after losing three games on a trot. Such was the obsession that players forgot to celebrate Christmas.
"We got a bit carried away after our first win and lost concentration and made things difficult for ourselves. After losing three games on a trot, we were desperate for a win against lajong. The day before the match, on the Christmas day, nobody in the team was talking about Christmas, everyone was talking about the match, talking about finding our winning touch," the winger said.