Entire crowd will be like 12th man for our team: Amarjit Singh Kiyam

How does it feel to be captaining India in U-17 World Cup in front of your own people?

In our team, everyone is a captain. We all have responsibilities which we need to enact both on and off the field. Yes, I may be leading when the Indian team marches in. But the journey could not have been complete without the leadership qualities of each and every one. More than the armband, it’s unique feeling to be representing India on such big platform, the first-ever FIFA World Cup event here.

What can India expect from all of you?

Mentally and physically, we are charged up. We are waiting for the action to begin. The journey so far has been amazing and all we have sacrificed a lot. We just cannot let our sacrifices go waste.

Sacrifices, what do you mean by this?

We were all around 12-years-old when we joined the AIFF Academy four years back. At that age, one can understand how difficult it is to stay away from our families. But the care at the academy made us gel fast amongst ourselves. Our parents are extremely proud of us at this point when entire nation is cheering us. We have only reached this stage because the academy curriculum helped us become much better players. We are sure that we’ll give our best.

How did you start playing football?

I started playing football at a ground nearby my house. Jeakson’s (Jeakson Singh — Amarjit’s teammate in the U-17 team) father used to coach both of us and it was from there that we shifted to the AIFF Academy in Goa, and that was quite an eye-opener. Had it not been for the training at the Goa Academy, I wouldn’t have come even closer to what I am today. I owe everything to them.

How supportive were your parents?

Both my father and mother are farmers. But they supported me throughout my journey. They helped me in whatever manner they could and I am very proud of my roots. Never for a moment did they ask me to come back to Manipur. Let me put it this way... I’ve only here to pursue my dreams because of their emotional support.

In last four years, this team has been made to travel all over the World. What did the exposure tours teach you?

When you play against teams who are technically more equipped — tactically more superior and physically stronger — you obviously learn something or the other. We have improved with every match and the chemistry started to develop among ourselves. Without those exposure tours, we would have still been struggling. Today, we are more confident and ready to perform at this bigger stage.

Is it a pressure to be playing in front of home crowd?

I think, this will be an extra motivation or you can say that entire crowd will be like the 12th man for our team. We need the fan support and Delhi being a cosmopolitan City and the Capital city would be an ideal place to play our group matches. I would urge fans to show support, fill the stands, cheer loud and Back & Blue. We will not disappoint you...