Mecievi Khieya, a young footballer from Nagaland, became the first Naga footballer from India to start an official football match outside India.
Mecievi, who joined Thai League 3 side Thonburi United in July this year, made his debut in the first eleven on Sunday, helping his team win 3-1 against Kanchanaburi City at the Khao Noi Stadium in Kanchanaburi, Thailand.
Mecievi, a winger by trade, played a key role in his team’s victory as he provided two assists to help Thonburi take a crucial 2-0 lead in the match. He was substituted in the second half.
Following this important victory, Thonburi United, founded in 2010, are placed in the third position of the league in their quest for promotion to Thai League 2.
It was a big moment for Mecievi, a promising player from Jakhama, Kohima. He has become the first player from Nagaland to represent a professional club abroad in a major national league.
Thonburi United selected Mecievi after a three-day trial event called Nagaland’s Next Top Player in Kohima at the Indira Gandhi Stadium (IGS) Kohima in April this year. The event was organized by Thonburi United FC and the Department of Youth Resources and Sports, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with SC Nagaland and Nagaland FA.
Earlier, Mecievi represented Thonburi United in two friendly matches.