Flying Eagles midfielder, Israel Ayuma says he was thrilled to make his competitive debut for NK Istra 1961 against Dinamo Zagrev in a Croatian top league game on Saturday.
Ayuma replaced Mauritanian attacker Beyath Lekweiry in the 70th when the team was trailing behind 3-1 to the host team, but the Nigerian was unfazed in the midst of Zagrev players and their fans, as Istra tried to reduce the tally.
Despite losing the game 3-1, Ayuma said that he was glad to be in the thick of the action for 20mins, noting that the experience gathered playing against Zagrev will build him up for the task ahead in the future.
“I am not happy that NK Istra lost the game, but i thank my coach for finding me worthy of playing against one of the best teams, not only in Croatia, but in Eastern Europe,” Ayuma said.
“What i have learnt in this game will help me henceforth going forward. It was an away game against a very good team,” he said.
A reliable source in NK Istra said the head coach was impressed with the performance of Ayuma.
According to the source: “The coach was impressed with what he saw in Ayuma’s game against Dinamo Zagrev. Ayuma did not disappoint in his first competitive league game and i think, he will be given more opportunities in the league.
“He played behind the top striker and he interpreted the instructions given to him by the coach very well,” the source said
