The experienced midfielder Isaac speaks about his time at HFC, the squad at the club and more…
Hyderabad: Coach Thangboi Singto’s Hyderabad FC are the youngest squads in the Indian Super League this season.
But they were smart in investing on experienced names as well, which will help the youngsters grow on and off the field.
One such player, slowly cementing his place in the first team is midfielder Isaac Vanmalsawma.
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Born and brought up in Lunglei, Mizoram, Isaac has been around in the Indian football circuit for almost a decade now and has made a strong start to his career at Hyderabad FC.
He joined the club just this summer but has already impressed the HFC faithful with his performances in recent games.
Isaac is settling in well at the club and is starting to have an impact on the squad off the field as well.
“ Hyderabad FC is a good team for me at this moment. I really love the city. The players and the staff are very welcoming and are good friends now. I like the mood at the club and it is all really well.”
– Isaac Vanmalsawma
Isaac is a hard-working midfielder, who is technically astute, quick and usually effective with his passing.
His decision-making and leadership abilities are also on show every time he is in action in the middle of the park.
So it is no surprise that Head Coach Thangboi Singto decided to add him to his midfield at HFC this season.
Isaac started his career with Shillong Lajong under the current HFC Head Coach back in 2015.
And he is happy to be back under the Coach’s tutelage again, with the Yellow and Black.
“Coach Thangboi is like a mentor to me. I was previously with him at the start of my career with Shillong Lajong. In fact, he is the coach who helped me reach this level. He has guided me a lot in my career and I have learnt so much from him. I am happy to be back playing for him in this time of my career”
– Isaac Vanmalsawma
The 28-year-old has played in the top flight with Chennai, Odisha and Jamshedpur and is closing in on 100 Indian Super League appearances.
It is a milestone, not many midfielders have achieved in Indian football. But Isaac is thankful for the opportunity and promises to keep working hard.
“I don’t want to talk too much about the milestone. I was aiming to reach the mark last season but sometimes in life, things don’t go according to the plan. So this season, it is a fresh start for me in my pursuit of that 100th appearance,” said Isaac speaking about his personal milestone.
💪 Adding grit and experience in the middle of the park!
Isaac Vanmalsawma marked his Yellow and Black debut with a solid midfield performance 👊#HFCCFC #TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/jg1jgzNnad
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) October 3, 2024
“It is a piece of history that not many can achieve so I am working really hard and it would mean a lot for me if I can do it at Hyderabad FC,” he added.
With all these appearances behind him, Isaac is one of the most experienced players currently at the club.
He has not only made life easier for the youngsters around him but is always present to lift the mood in the camp, on and off the field.
“As a senior player, the way we play on the field and also how we treat young players off the field is very important, especially in this young squad. The Mizo duo of Aron Vanlalrinchhana and Danmawia for example, look up to the expereinced players in the squad like me, Lenny bhai and Arshdeep bhai. It is good to share with them the experiences we have faced in our journey so far, which will help them grow as players too”
– Isaac Vanmalsawma
At just 28, Isaac is still to hit his prime as a footballer.
The midfielder also has to keep fighting for his place in the team. Such is the quality in the squad at HFC.
The Nawabs have a host of midfielders, who give their all in every training session and are ready to prove themselves with every chance they get.
This competition for places has made Hyderabad a stronger unit, says Isaac.
“We have a squad full of players who are young and energetic. In most positions, there is a healthy competition for places so every player needs to fight for their position,” he said.
“So we are working hard and the coaches also help us a lot in improving individually,” the midfielder added.
💪 Adding experience to our young side!
Isaac Vanmalsawma and Parag Shrivas join the Hyderabad gang 💫#TheNawabs 💛🖤 pic.twitter.com/3GpVtSP10b
— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) September 18, 2024
Isaac has around 300 minutes under his belt already this season and has put in some solid performances in the middle of the park.
But not everything has been plain sailing for HFC, who have struggled for results early in the campaign.
However, the performances they have put in recently has shown plenty of promise to the Hyderabad faithful.
The fans would love for the club to be fighting again at the top of the table and Isaac believes that they will aim for the same this season.
“We started pre-season a bit late. But we are now training well and performing well too. So we surely have high expectations of ourselves this season. Every player and every member of the staff is working hard to try and fight for the top six or aim even higher”
– Isaac Vanmalsawma
Hyderabad are slowly growing stronger, and have shown glimpses of how dangerous we can be on the field.
But it is the effort of players like Isaac Vanmalsawma that makes us a complete team, on and off the field.
The youthful exuberance is always there to see with the Yellow and Black.
But the wise-heads that are behind the togetherness in the squad like Isaac makes them very important for the growth of the team.
Isaac Vanmalsawma 
