The biggest win in the history of the Indian Super League was witnessed on Tuesday, 17 November, 2015, at the JLN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa. However, the 7-0 hammering of Mumbai City FC by FC Goa wasn't the only landmark of the night.
The footballer to be in the limelight after the game was 22-year-old Indian forward Thongkhosiem Haokip. Not only did the Manipuri man join Sunil Chhetri as the other Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL this season, 'Semboi' -- as he is fondly known -- also became the first Indian to score a hat-trick both in the ISL and the I-League.
Needless to say, the 100th goal of ISL 2015 was also bagged by him on Tuesday.
Haokip has a certain fondness in eyeing for hat-tricks on days he is in the form of his life. In the I-League last season, he scored three times on the trot for Pune FC within a span of 15 minutes against Shillong Lajong FC. Even before that, the India U-23 international scored a hat-trick in Pune FC's U-19 I-League victory in 2012.
So what really is that 'X factor' that always works in the way of the youngster? Brazil legend Zico, who is also the manager of FC Goa, gave a detailed description of the Indian forward.
"Haokip is a player who has a good technique and is very smart to play with. You can see the way he passes the ball and controls it during the game. He always wants to learn," Zico was quoted by Goal.
"He trains more than his team mates and is very receptive to information. So it's nice to see. He's always smiling and in a good mood. He's being encouraged by us, and hopefully becomes a bright footballer," the Brazilian, one of the greatest midfielders of all time, added.
Nigerian hotshot Dudu Omagbemi, meanwhile, playing his first game in the ISL this season, couldn't have asked for a better start, as he also bagged a hat-trick on the night, and increased the goal tally of FC Goa. The former East Bengal man also couldn't be more pleased with Haokip's performance in the ISL on Tuesday night.
"It feels fantastic [to get such a big win in the ISL]. I kept telling him [Haokip] to be there at the right time, and there he was. I was there at the right time, and we gave each other good support. We played as a team today which was fantastic," Dudu was quoted by the official site of ISL.
Haokip, on his part, stayed humble and mentioned that the guidance of Zico helped him a lot in the ISl this season, and he was also lucky to have a lethal strike partner like Dudu alongside him on the night.
"It feels great [to play alongside Dudu]. He helped me a lot today to score. It means really a lot to me," Haokip said."Definitely [training under Zico was worth it] as when I joined the team in pre-season, Zico helped me a lot, alongside my teammates on a daily basis," he added.
