Did Danny Meitei Dedicate His First International Hat-Trick to His Family?

Yupia (Arunachal Pradesh), May 10 (NationPress) Midfielder Danny Meitei Laishram shone brightly at the Golden Jubilee Stadium in Yupia. The spirited young talent from Arunachal Pradesh was instrumental in India's 8-0 victory over Sri Lanka during their opening match of the SAFF U19 Championship 2025 on Friday.

The 17-year-old scored his inaugural international hat-trick in this match and dedicated his match ball to his family.

“It feels incredible to score my first international hat-trick. I am thankful to my coaching staff and teammates for their support. I am truly grateful to have contributed to our team’s success, and I wish to keep this momentum going. This hat-trick is for my family. I spoke to my mom and dad after the match. They were watching from home and were thrilled,” Danny expressed to the-aiff.com.

His hat-trick consisted of a glancing header, a powerful left-footed shot, and a clever interception inside the Sri Lankan penalty area, reflecting not only the skill and awareness of the 17-year-old but also his eagerness to score.

“The first goal was a header. I found the space and executed it. For the second goal, I saw the angle and struck it hard. The third was simpler, but I was tracking the movement of the Sri Lankan center-back, Omith Edirisinghe, anticipating his pass. He had beaten me a few times in the first half, so I thought I would take a calculated risk and be a bit more deceptive,” Danny recounted.

It was his father who encouraged him to pursue a career in football, and witnessing his son excel on this significant day must have been a rewarding experience for him.

Danny began his football journey at the age of five in Imphal, where he was born. “I initially played in my neighborhood and then joined some local academies. In 2019, I signed with Imphal City FC, and that’s when things became serious,” he mentioned.

“Coach Chencho Dorji came from Bhutan to Imphal City for a year before moving to Sudeva Delhi. He later called me there. I made my senior debut for Sudeva in the Durand Cup 2021. After that, I was selected for the national U-17 camp,” said Danny, who made his ISL debut for NorthEast United FC in March 2025.

Danny was also part of the team that won the SAFF U17 Championship in 2022 and participated in the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2023, both under head coach Bibiano Fernandes.

For the ongoing SAFF U19 Championship, the Blue Colts had been preparing for approximately two months with Fernandes, initially in Bengaluru and then moving to Itanagar about a week before the tournament—providing ample time for the team to refine their strategies. The aggressive attacking approach worked seamlessly, allowing even Danny, as a midfielder, to take up dangerous positions and net a hat-trick.

“The strategy was effective because the coach guided us on where the ball would come and where we should position ourselves. It made scoring easier. He (Fernandes) instructs me on which spaces to exploit, so I just follow his lead and the ball arrives,” Danny stated, mentioning his admiration for Premier League stars Kevin de Bruyne and Brandon Fernandes as his midfield inspirations.

While Danny has been part of junior national teams at lower age levels, playing in front of a supportive crowd of around 5,000 is an experience he had not previously enjoyed.

“This is the first time I’ve played in front of such a fantastic crowd. I remember participating in the U17 SAFF in Sri Lanka, but that crowd was against us,” Danny reflected. “When the supporters cheer for you, it feels different. I am thankful for the opportunity to play in such an atmosphere.”