Bengaluru FC youngsters Daniel Lalhimpuia and Nishu Kumar said it's a glorious opportunity for them to make India proud when their team takes on Al - Quwa Al - Jawiya of Iraq in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup final on November 5.
"We are already lucky to be part of the team and it is once in a lifetime opportunity for us to make India proud on the big stage.
We have trained under some of the best coaches in India and that has helped us a lot, " Daniel said.
"I have gathered a lot of experience through Bengaluru FC and training day in and day out with national team players has made me a better player.
I have learnt a lot from Sunil - bhai (Chhetri), Eugene - bhai (Lyndoh) and Rino - bhai (Anto).
I am very happy to be here at Bengaluru FC, " Nishu said.
Both are All India Football Federation (AIFF) youth academy products.
Bengaluru FC beat reigning champions Johor Darul Ta'azim 4 - 2 on aggregate in the semi - finals to reach the summit clash of the AFC Cup becoming in the process the first Indian club to reach a continental cup final.
"We still have a long way to go as football players, but the AIFF academies helped us go in the right way enabling us to cope with the nitty gritty of the footballing world, " Daniel said.
"We have to give it our all if we are selected by the coach (Albert Roca) to play in the final, " he added.
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