Even as the national football team prepares for the forthcoming AFC Asian Cup Qualifier against Kyrgyz Republic in Bengaluru, the two newcomers--Lalruatthara and Laldanmawia Ralte are not much willing to speculate whether they would be able to secure a berth in the final 23.
"That is the decision of the coach. Our job is to perform to our best," said both.
"We were playing in the Federation Cup when my club mate Albino (Gomes) informed both of us that we have been summoned to the National Camp," informed Ralte.
"It took some time to sink in. It was hard to believe," Lalruatthara added.
"India is such a vast country. There are so many players playing and we were one of them who had been asked to report to the Camp. It was an unique feeling - a moment of pride," he said.
Both Lalruatthara and Ralte stay in Champari, a small district around seven hours from Aizawl.
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"It is very close to the Myanmar border," Ralte uttered.
When quizzed how the national camp is different, Lalruattaha, an U-22 player quips, said, "The training here is much tougher, all at a very high intensity. It is just much organised and we need to adhere to the shape all time. It's hard but we are enjoying it."
"We have been made to understand that you need to help each other on the field. If one member on the field fails, the entire team fails." Ralte said. "The coach stresses on minute details on the field."
Lalruattaha added, "As a player we have improved a lot in these few days. When you look back you understand the sort of fine-tuning which we have been lucky to gather in the camp. Moreover, the off field discipline, the dietary regime, the timings are all an eye-opener. I had no idea that the camp deals with all details in such detail."
"For example, my positional sense has improved a lot. I will go back as a much better player," he concluded.