IndianFootball.Com Interview: HERING SHANGPLIANG

IndianFootball.Com's PS Parameswaran caught-up with Lajong SC coach Hering Shangpliang to find out more about his club, Meghalayan football and himself.
Hering is currently in Kochin, Kerala with his club to take part in the 2.Division National League Cluster round.
And what many might not know Shillong's Hering Shangpliang is one of four Indian coaches along with Derrick Pereira, Savio Medeira and V Soundarajan who are AFC Pro Coaching Licence holders.

How are the conditions in Kochin?

It is terrible for us. The hot weather is really killing us!
We are not used to this climate. Also the food is also causing problems for us, as we are not used to South Indian food (in this case Kerala food).

How do you rate your team's performance in the first two matches of the 2.Division National League in Kochin?

The first match against Army XI was disappointing. We really had our chances in the match, but the long journey and the conditions in Kochin really affected our team's performance.
In the second game we were able to perform well. We adjusted to the conditions in Kochin even though the hot weather was a concern for us. If the temperatures were around 25 - 30 °C, we should have managed it but it is way above that.

Tell us something about Lajong Sports Club?

Lajong Sports Club is a football club which hails from Shillong, Meghalaya. It is owned by a businessman from Meghalaya. He has immense interest in football.
As compared to Viva Kerala and Salgaocar SC we have a much smaller budget.
Also we don't have any foreign players in the squad. I believe that our players and foreigners in India have the same calibre. And we do have some star players in our squad. One is Aibor Khongjee (Lajong defender who played for India U20) who is a player to watch out for the future.
We are really hardworking and determined to be one of the best Indian clubs!

How do you rate Meghalaya's perfomance in the 33rd National Games in Guwahati, Assam?

The officials only gave entry to us at the last moment as Goa pulled out. So we had very little time for the preparations. But it was a good performance from our team. We were unlucky not to snatch Gold at the National Games. We really dominated the final against Tamil Nadu, but failed to score. Nine of our players were in their half throughout the match but still we were not able to win the match.

How did you see the Northeast as a whole developing within Indian football?

It's good to see the Northeastern part of the country developing in football. But It is essential to Indian football that all parts of the country improve.

Please tell your experience with Indian Junior Team and coach Islam Akhmedov?

It was good! The team was very talented, but I sometimes felt that the team was very unlucky.
Islam Akhmedov is a great coach. He is really committed to his profession and did such a great job with the Indian Junior National Teams. He always was of the opinion that our team needs to play more matches against stronger Asian teams like China, Japan, South Korea, etc. When we play against them our confidence will grow and we will believe that we can compete against anyone in the world. But sadly due to some reasons we couldn't do all that. We only play against teams like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Nepal, etc. These teams have the same calibre like us, so when we play against them it doesn't matter so much for our standard.

Do you think the appointment of Bob Houghton will change Indian Football?

To be fair, No. Because its not that a foreign coach can change us. Even if Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger came to our football it won't change. Our culture and our structure for football has to be rectified. Then changes will start to happen. I think we will have to wait another 20 years to become one of the best football teams in the world.

Lately there has been criticism on Indian footballers that they are not committed on their duties?

I never think so. That's totally rubbish. The players give 100% commitment to what they do. Also to get committed there are so many factors that have to be fulfilled. From our basic level we need that. In Brazil a young player earns more than a player earns in NFL here. There is support for football there even though Brazil is not a developed country like ours. I don't think anyone chooses football as a career in India. Such is the football structure here. There are risk's in football. All players cannot take risks. Once a player is injured then he will be history here. That should not be the case. The government should support players then only they can achieve new heights.

Why did you choose coaching as you career?

I played for some local clubs in Meghalaya. In Meghalaya we don't have many clubs and also few qualified coaches. So I was determined to become a football coach!

Do you do anything else besides football?

I work for a department of the Government of Meghalaya.

Why did you not include foreigners in your team?

I did feel home born talent is good enough. I am not against the foreigners playing here. As I mentioned earlier both Indians and Foreigners have the same calibre. When we play against them we can really feel that they are not different from us. Even if we qualifiy to the NFL I am sure we need only one or two foreigner in the squad.

What are your future plans?

I would love to continue with Lajong SC. I am really looking forward to coach upcoming, young players in Meghalaya.

Do you have a favourite football team and player?

I don't have any special interest for any player or team. I just love watching good football.

What is your opinion about our website IndianFootball.Com?

I am very happy that you are doing something for Indian football. IndianFootball.Com is really doing something good for our football!

Many, many thanks Hering for the time taken for this interview!

the interview was conducted by PS Parameswaran (March 2007)

[ IndianFootball.Com interviews ]