Boubacar Diarra - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on Boubacar Diarra at Lokmat Times

"Playing in the I-League was the turning point of my career, certainly," Hanghal said, before adding: "It has helped me improve by leaps and bounds, and has made me tough. I know what it takes to come out on top in the I-League, where each game is a challenge and the competition is so intense."The 26-year-old has played in clubs across the country and the upcoming season will the first time the Manipur-born Hanghal will be wearing the colours of a club from his home state, which he termed as a "motivating factor".He mentioned: "It's good to be back in Manipur. It's a really big thing for me and will be a new look challenge to look forward to. Everyone knows the passion for football in the north-east and I am sure playing in front of the home fans will motivate all the players to give their best."For the first time, fans in Manipur and across India will witness the 'Imphal Derby' after the promotion of Tiddim Road Athletic Union Football Club (TRAU FC) to the Hero I-League. According to Hanghal, the fixture is something the whole team is looking forward to."The derbies against TRAU FC will be two of the most important matches of the season. They are also building a strong team and all of us are looking forward to playing against them. I'm sure it will be a treat for football lovers in Manipur as well as the whole of India," he said.Neroca have signed a number of quality foreign players for the upcoming campaign such as Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and Mali midfielder Boubacar Diarra - both of whom have represented their respective national teams at the senior level."The foreigners in the team have been gelling well and are all high-quality players who will certainly have a major role to play over the course of the season. The Indian players in the side are relatively young and it is up to me and the other seniors to guide them and lead by example," Hanghal explained.The midfielder also spoke about the team's objective for the upcoming season, saying, "The pre-season went well and all of us have been working hard ahead of the start of the league. We have a lot of talented players and hope to finish in the Top 3 at the end of the season."Neroca will be in action on the opening day of the new campaign as they travel to Kozhikode to face Durand Cup winners Gokulam Kerala FC at the EMC Corporation Stadium.( With inputs from IANS )

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Pahalgam Terror Attack

Tahawwur Rana

IPL 2025

CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai Local

Weather Update

Boubacar Diarra, NewsFOLLOW

Boubacar diarra, Latest News

Football :I-League: Neroca register hard-fought victory over Real Kashmir

Neroca FC registered a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Real Kashmir FC at the Khuman Lumpak Stadium on Tuesday. Boubacar Diarra scored the winner of the match in the 62nd minute. ...

Football :Neroca host Real Kashmir in must-win affair for both sides

In what is set to be a must-win fixture for either side, Neroca FC will be hosting Real Kashmir FC at the Khuman Lampak Stadium on Tuesday. ...

Football :'Imphal Derby' a treat for football lovers: Siam Hanghal

After a sixth-place finish in the previous edition of I-League, Neroca FC will be looking to go all guns blazing as the new season of the league gets underway on November 30. The side has brought in a number of experienced players both Indian and fo ...