‘Everything just clicked’: Churchill’s goal machine Majcen enjoying Hero I-League experience
Churchill Brothers are yet to be vanquished by any opposition so far in the Hero I-League 2020-21 and have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table, making them the frontrunners in the race for the title. A key figure in their successful run so far has been Slovenian striker Luka Majcen, who is currently the joint top-scorer in the competition.
“I think this season is going great and our position on the table reflects that. Since the day I joined Churchill Brothers, all my teammates have treated me as a brother. I think I have bonded very well with the team and the transition has been very easy for me. We had a tough pre-season and trained really hard, and as a result, everything just clicked,” he told i-league.org.
“Before I came to India, I promised my mum and dad that I would return as a champion and top goal-scorer. So far, it is going great. I hope we will be champions!”
In his debut season in the Hero I-League, the 31-year-old has impressed with his performances up top for the Red Machines, scoring eight goals and also being among the league’s top players in terms of key passes and aerial challenges.
His successful partnership with Honduran forward Clayvin Zuniga has been one of the biggest talking points of the season so far and the Slovenian revealed that he had done his homework on Zuniga and knew that they would form a lethal pair.
“There is no secret or special formula (for the chemistry with Zuniga). Before I came to India, I watched his highlights and watched the way he plays the game. I knew we would click on the field. We shook hands with started on the training ground when we first met and worked in pairs on different drills, trying getting to know each other,” he recalled.
“I’m very happy as a striker. My job is to score goals and help the team. The more goals I can score, the more I can help the team. Any day, I would put my team’s success over my personal success. So, I would rather wear the champion’s medal first, and then be happy to finish as top scorer,” Majcen quipped.
The striker looked back at his journey in club football, with his trip to India being the first time that he has stepped out of his home country to play professionally, and expressed his gratitude to have played with the likes of Jan Oblak and Josep Ilicic, both superstars in Europe’s top leagues.
“It has been a long journey from Slovenia to India. I think I have played for 12-13 years in my country since I made my debut when I was 18 years old. I am very happy that I did not quit playing football. There were a lot of good times and bad times. But, that’s football. I play football and do what I love.”
“I have played with a few good teammates throughout my career like Jan Oblak (goalkeeper for Atletico Madrid) and Josep Ilicic (forward for Atalanta). It’s always fun to remember these kind of things. I have always wanted to play outside my home country and I am really happy that it finally happened. When I got a call from Churchill Brothers, I did not hesitate and took up this lovely opportunity.”
Majcen also shared his thoughts on living in the bio-bubble and said that adapting to the new set-up has been a key factor in the team’s success.
“I like to stay indoors in my free time, so for me, it (bio-bubble) is not much of an issue. If your mind is in the right place, this is the perfect time for all players to get better, get fit and be a better person. You have enough time to work on yourselves and I think staying in five-star accommodation is not really that bad!” he smiled.
“I did not know what to expect. The first week or so was a bit of an eye-opener because we had to adapt to a particular schedule. But, we all understand that this is all unprecedented, so we are all trying. The federation, the whole team – players, staff and management have adapted, and the table says it all. We adapted the best!”
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: NorthEast, Bagan finish first bout even with late thriller
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…