ISL 2018-19: Lallianzuala Chhangte offered a trial at Norwegian club Viking FK

Indian player Lallianzuala Chhangte will undergo a 10-day trial at Norwegian club Viking FK if his club Delhi Dynamos approves it. He is latest Indian player to fly to the foreign shores for trials after Sunil Chhetri and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu among the current India internationals.

Chhangte, who currently plays for Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos, is all expected to fly to Norway sometime at the end of January subject to approval from his club. The move is initiated by Krish Roy, Director, Business Development & International Relations, German Football Academy (GFA) in association with TSC Asia, New Delhi.

This serves as great news for Indian football fans, who vented their anger on social media when Chhangte was excluded by former India coach Stephen Constantine from the squad of Asian Cup. India thrashed Thailand 4-1 in the first match but lost to UAE (0-2) and Bahrain (0-1) and were knocked out of the tournament.

Chhangte, who plays as a left-winger, has been in tremendous form with Delhi Dynamos. He scored four goals and made one assist for the club. His absence was sorely missed in the Indian team.

Viking FK play in the top division league of Norway, which is famously called Eliteserien. The Stavengar-based club are eight-time league champions, with the latest title coming in 1991. The club, which got relegated at the end 2017 season, got a promotion in the top division in November last year.

Current coach and former player Bjarne Berntsen wants to reshape the team before the new season commences. Chhangte will give his trial under the supervision of Berntsen and his coaching staff and if impresses them, it would earn him a contract with the club.

Current Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu also spent three seasons at Norwegian club Stabaek FC. In fact, he is first Indian footballer to participate in an Europa League match. Sunil Chhetri also plied his trade Sporting Lisbon, but he played with the reserve team.

Chhangte started his football career with DSK Shivajians Liverpool International Football Academy in 2014 and played in the 2014-15 I-League U19 season.

On 25 December 2015, Lallianzuala made debut for India against Sri Lanka in 2015 SAFF Championship. He was called up as a substituted for Robin Singh in the 77th minute. In his very next match, he scored 2 goals for India in their 4–1 win over Nepal and became the second youngest goalscorer for India’s senior national team.

Chhangte has been with Dynamos from 2017. He played for NorthEast United in 2016.