Choir singer to midfield gem

CHENNAI: A gospel singer. Footballers often come up with unexpected answers when asked what they would have become had they not played ball, but this one from Isaac Vanmalsawma knocks most of them out of the park.

The 21-year-old midfielder started singing in his church’s choir around the same time he started playing age-group football. But the better he got at football, the less singing he did. “I was never a solo singer or anything,” he laughs. “But I was in the choir. My sister carried on and she is a singer now. I can still play the guitar a bit.”

Singing, he may not do much of now, but there is something musical to what he does on the field. Isaac orchestrated play from the middle of the pitch for Shillong Lajong, in what was his breakout season last year. He was widely perceived to be one of the best midfielders in the league, outshining Yuta Kinowaki, the Japanese medio he was paired alongside at Lajong.

His exploits drew the attention of Stephen Constantine, who called him to the national camp for the Asian Cup qualifiers. Isaac had earlier been given a run-out in the unofficial friendly against Bhutan last year. And then, FC Pune City grabbed him in the ISL draft.

“I worked hard last season,” Isaac says. “The season I had last year got me here (Pune City), but I have to move forward. I’ve already learnt a lot during pre-season, training alongside senior players.” Curiously for someone from Mizoram, Isaac has spent all his senior career in Shillong. He was on the field in Lajong colours on the final day last season, seeking to deny his home team Aizawl FC the I-League title.

But Isaac has fond memories of the time he spent playing in Mizoram — he reels out a long list of coaches who’ve coached him at every stage of his career and his favourite football moment is the championship-winning goal he scored for Venglui FC in the U-17 Mizo league. Starting next month, Isaac will begin a journey that so many from the Northeast have embarked on before him — away from the hills, in a strange land and out of his comfort zone.

“I started playing football at the age of 3,” Isaac says. “And ever since I started kicking a ball, all I wanted to be was the best footballer in India.” The determination in his voice is unmistakable. Homesickness isn’t going to stop him from achieving his dreams.

vishnu.prasad@newindianexpress.com