Hat-trick-son Danny Meitei enjoying the execution of Indias plan

Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh), May 11 (Ani): Rare as it is for a player makes hat trick memorable, especially if they are in international football. Midfielder Danny Meitei Laaishram had his moment under the sun, or rather under the flood lights at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia, while enthusiastic fans of Arunachal Pradesh, chief minister Pema Khandu, were witnessed by Indian defeat Sri Lanka 8-0 in their first match of the SAF U19 championship. Post match requested a lot of Danny for selfies, signatures, jerseys, Instagram account, phone number and what wasn’t. The 17-year-old man forced a few selfies while keeping the match ball near his chest. He would not stay an inch away from the hat -trick in the hat -trick, almost four years after his international debut in youth. “It was surprising to achieve my first international hat -trick. I would like to thank my coaching staff and teammates for helping me,” Danny said, as quoted on AIFF’s official website. “I am very grateful to contribute to the team’s victory, and I hope to continue like that,” he told the Aiff.com. “I want to dedicate this hat -trick to my family. I called my mom and dad after the game. They were from home and were very happy, ‘he notes. A look-head, a left foot Thunderbolt, and a smart intercept in the Sri Lanka penalty, which led to the completion of hat-trick, showed not only the quality and presence of the 17-year-old, but also his hunger to score. “The first goal was the headball. I attacked the space. The ball showed up and did the work. Second goal, I saw the corner and just beat it,” recalls Danny. “The third one was easier, but I detected his movement (Sri Lanka center Omith Edirizinghe), and he expected in the first half. In the first half, he hit me a few times, so I thought I would take a chance about this and be more fraudulent, ‘he notes. It was his father who wanted him to be a footballer, and on Friday he must have been a fulfilling day for him, while his son relieved the tournament on the first day. Danny’s football journey started in Imphal at the age of five, the place of his birth. “I played in my area and later in some local academies. In 2019 I joined Imhal City FC. That’s when things got serious,” he said. ‘Coach Chencho Dorji comes from Bhutan and spent a year in Imhal City before heading to Supeva Delhi. Then he called me there. I made my senior debut for Supeva in the Durand Cup 2021. After that, I chose in the National U-17 camp, ‘said Danny, who made his Island debut for the Northern United team in March 2025. 2022 and played the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023, both under head coach Bibiano Fernandes. For the current Saff U19 championship, the Blue Colts prepared for about two months with Fernandes, first in Bengaluru, before moving to Itanagar about a week before the tournament – much time for the team to work out their stratagems. The aggressive offensive plan came out perfectly, and even Danny, as a midfielder, could end up in dangerous positions and tackle a hat -trick. “The plan was excellent, because the coach taught us where the ball would come and where we should go. So it became easier to get goals. He (Fernandes) tells me what spaces to attack, so I’m just going in and the ball comes,” says Danny, who looks at Kevin de Bruyne and Brandon Fernandes as his midfield recent. While Danny was part of the junior India sides in a lower age group, this is not something he has previously enjoyed playing with a clear home advantage. “This is the first time I have played before such an incredible crowd. I can remember playing in front of the crowd in the U17 saffe in Sri Lanka, but then the crowd was against us,” says Danny. “If you have the supporters on your side, it feels different. I am grateful that I have played in such an atmosphere,” he added. (Ani)