Wadajied Ryngkhlem Exclusive: Shillong Lajong youngster on Dreams, love for Phil Foden and Exams during Durand Cup

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Shillong Lajong has been a phenomenon in the Durand Cup 2024. The Reds from the capital of Meghalaya had a tremendous run in the competition, where they reached the semis.

Although Lajong lost to Northeast United in the semifinal, they have showcased footballing excellence on the field, which included some notable performances.

One of the integral part of their success has been a young local star named Wadajied Kynsai Ryngkhlem. MyKhel had a talk with the player recently, where the youngster opened up on his budding yet exciting footballing journey.

How the Football started and Shillong Lajong experience

"It all started with the Subroto Cup from my school and it started from there only. I got selected here as the champion from Shillong and then we went to Delhi to participate in this Subroto and then I joined a club here, Shillong Lalong. That's how it went.

It has been a great experience so far playing in this street club and I feel very good.
I feel so blessed to play for this club. It has given me the platform and has given me the opportunity to play."

The young player of Shillong Lajong contributed to their win over local rivals Rangdajied United in the Durand Cup. And Wadajied says he had revenge in mind before playing the city rivals.

"Beating Rangdajied was a special moment for us. For me, it was revenge because they beat us two times in this SPL (Shillong Premier League) and yeah, I've learned a lot during these two matches and we have great training and all. We always improve every day," he continues.

Ryngkhlem scored a goal in their match against Tribhuwan Army, and also played a crucial part in Lajong's win over East Bengal.

"My goal is to score more goals and contribute assists and help the team to achieve more and play a good game so that we can we can reach the top four of the I-League," he says.

Footballing Idols

Wadajied has massive respect for Meghalaya local stars and the likes of Samuel Kynshi and Frankie Buam are his idols.

"I look up to like Samuel Kynshi who played from Roundglass, Punjab and Frankie Buam now we're playing together. So, I always look into them, like to copy how they play or live, how they talk. And I think it's difficult for us from the Northeast to play in the ISL. I guess the scouts don't come here often," Ryngkhlem says.

On requirements for a professional footballer

Wadajied is also quite vocal about the importance of a strong mentality. The player has been performing superbly in Durand, but says he has also been sitting in exams in between the matches.

"I guess it's all about training and maybe mentality. We have to have a strong mentality to play at this very highest level because we need to put more concentration and more fight. Sometimes studies bother me, even between Durand Cup I have been sitting for exams.

So, we have to manage all this and that's why we need a strong mentality in order to have a future at this highest level. I must thank our new coach Jose for this. He has put a lot of work for us and he has given us so much improvement, especially in our body and mindset."

Message for the Fans

"I have a message that is playing in the, in my home stadium with a lot of fans, with a lot of fans where we call, we call our fan the Reds. So, yeah, playing in my own state, in my own, in my own home ground feel, it feels great to play. It give us a lot of hope, and they make us feel more excited to play. We always want to give them what they want and win the match for them."

Love for Manchester City and Phil Foden

Wadajied says he is a supporter of English club Manchester City, and the youngster tries to emulate the skills of Phil Foden. And given the way Wadajied plays, he does have a wriggling quality that Foden possesses, along with some excellent ball control.

"I like to read Novels. In terms of football, I support Manchester City. I have many favourite players like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva. I try to copy Phil Foden."