Mizo custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte has finally decided to join the west coast powerhouse FC Goa sealing a two year contract.
Both Delhi Dynamos and the FC Goa have been hit by dilemma of poor goalkeeping, the ISL franchises have both made offer to sign the Bengaluru goalkeeper for 2018-2019 season.
FC Goa suffered a goalkeeping curse this season with Laxmikant Kattimani underperforming in several games, Goa’s leaky defence between the bars has received huge condemnation and scathing criticism.
Lalthuammawia Ralte featured for Bengaluru FC twice this season and captained the Bengaluru side in its Asian Football Confederation campaign. Ralte kept a clean sheet against NorthEast United FC and was adjudged emerging player of the match once, despite the minimal chances he had in the playing eleven, Ralte delivered and has been outstanding.
“My contract with Bengaluru FC is over, it was a tough decision, I got offers from both Delhi Dynamos and Goa FC, points I can’t share are some special reasons why I decided to join the Gaurs,” Ralte said.
Ralte has been overshadowed by the former Norwegian club Stabæk goalkeeper and the Indian number one Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, it is reported that Ralte sought a club that could assure him the number one spot.
“You just can’t be a number one goalkeeper by contract, you have to earn it,” said Ralte dismissing reports that he was assured the numero uno spot
“I’ll join FC Goa in the coming season of ISL, but currently I have commitments with Bengaluru, I still have Super Cup and Asian Football Confederation with Bengaluru,” informed Ralte from Bengaluru training camp.
Ralte has been with Bengaluru FC since inception and was part of their I-League and Federation Cup winning campaigns. He was picked up from the domestic player draft in 2015 by NorthEast United FC but did not get a game.
According to sources, Goa had considered signing two other goalkeepers – Arindam Bhattacharya (Mumbai City FC) and Subhashish Roy Chowdhury (Kerala Blasters) – when Ralte was in two minds; whether to continue with Bengaluru FC, who were keen to retain him, or move to Goa where he was assured a good role. Goa eventually managed to convince the goalkeeper who started his career with Shillong Lajong FC.