BLUE ARROW OF INDIAN FOOTBALL

Once, there was a man who lived in a small village from Mizoram who was very passionate about playing football. His brother also shared the same passion and once represented Mizoram in the Santosh trophy. This man understood that the skill for playing football was in their blood when he noticed his two sons outshine them. Four months after his retirement, his younger son debuted for the Model Sporting Club and that’s where it all began.

            He became one of the best football players India has produced, celebrating his birthday today (7^th January) after 3 consecutive titles in the year 2015. Jeje Lalpekhlua (son of Jeje Sr.) had an early and steady growth. At the age of 16, he was roped in by Pune club after which he was loaned out to Palian Arrows where he scored 13 goals in 15 games in 2010-11. In 2011, Jeje Lalpekhlua was awarded the FPAI Young Player of the Year. Later he shifted to Dempo. Soon after he moved to Mohun Baga, he helped them win the I-League 2014-15. Jeje was then loaned out to our Chennaiyin FC where the rest is history.

Jeje Lalpekhlua had a brilliant first season of the Hero ISL. He scored four goals in the league, thereby becoming the top scoring Indian player of the first season. He easily generated fans by his swiftness, agility and of course celebration style. Now who wouldn’t love this pose?

ISL 2015 was probably Jeje’s best in his career. He began striving harder than the previous season and got 14 shots on goal, of which 6 found the back of the net. His goal against Pune City FC (only goal of the match) pushed Chennaiyin FC into the top 4 and a spot in the semifinal. His conversion rate through assists soared up and sure enough, every fan noticed that when he became one of the trio who gave us a headstart in the “Home away from home” semifinal leg in Pune.

No wonder, he was given the title as “Indian Player of the season 2015”. 

His success streak did not end in ISL as he carry forwarded it to help India retain the South Asian Football Federation or the SAFF Suzuki Cup 2015. Jeje scored two crucial goals against the Maldives in a victorious and thrilling semifinal. Again, he converted a header from Sunil Chhetri to score the first goal of the final match against Afghanistan and assisted in winning the SAFF cup for the 7^th time.

            From leading the Indian Under 19 football team to helping the Senior Indian football team to win the SAFF cup, Jeje Lalpekhlua has shown his might and will probably continue shooting the arrows to the sky after sending the ball to the back of the net. I, on behalf of all the SuperMachans, wish our young chap a happy birthday and the best in the forthcoming years.