Aizawl, Sabyasachi Bagchi: Mahmoud al Amna, one of the most important players of Aizawl FC is instrumental for the success that his team is facing at this moment.
He has played many games for the Syrian National team and also played for his nation in the World Cup qualifiers.
Aizawl FC is just a single point away from becoming the Champions this season.
This 34 year old midfielder was born in Aleppo, Syria which is now in a state of war against the Islamic States and the Al-Nusra Front affiliated to Al-Qaeda.
Al Amna however left his country to play for Iran, back in the year of 2009.
He currently lives with his wife in Egypt but his brothers and sisters still live in Syria.
In an exclusive interview with www.xtratime.in correspondent Sabyasachi Bagchi, Al Amna shares his life story and playing football in India.
XT: Give us a brief about your football journey. You are an ex- Syrian international who has also played the world cup qualifiers. Share us your experience.
Amna: You see I have played many games in many countries professionally, like in the Iran league, Iraq league and as well as the Malaysian league. Now I am playing in the Indian league. Thus I can share my experience to the younger players for their betterment.
XT: What was the reason behind leaving Syria?
Amna: I left Syria for playing professional football in Iran League. The money there was good as well as the game.
XT: Did you leave Syria due to the war?
Amna: No, I left much before the war started. I left my country in 2009.
XT: Does your family still stay there?
Amna: My wife is an Egyptian and I stay at Egypt with my family. But my brother and sister still stay in Syria with their families.
XT: Did you panic when you heard about the war?
Amna: Yeah it’s a big problem for all. War is very bad and I hope that the future would be better for my country. I just sincerely hope it ends very soon and there is No War, No Blood! If you look at the children it is very disheartening. War must stop.
XT: What are your thoughts on Aizawl FC and growing football in Mizoram?
Amna: I have played in Sporting Club de Goa and now here. Here everything is different from other countries but it is okay. The football here is great.
XT: What about the fans here?
Amna: The fans are great and support us a lot. Like yesterday it was raining heavily and still the fans turned up, that gives us an extra energy and better momentum to perform well.
XT: Yesterday you played a good game, any special plans against Mohun Bagan?
Amna: Mohun Bagan is a very good team, they also happen to be a very big team here in India. But yesterday I was only thinking about the game, the game of the season and god helped us too. Yesterday we played well and we hope that we will be the Champions.
XT: What is the morale of the team right now?
Amna: The confidence among the players are high, the momentum is also good but we need to concentrate even more. Let’s hope we finish things well.
XT: Share us the chemistry between you and Coach Khalid Jamil
Amna: We communicate well as both us speak in Arabic. He is a young coach who motivates us and is also a very good man. He has a very good mind for football.
XT: What about Zotea who scored the goal?
Amna: Similar to Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos, Zotea scored the goal when it was needed.
XT: Any regrets on missing the goal?
Amna: Had I scored we would have become the Champions. It’s unfortunate that I missed but I am happy with the win.
XT: If given a chance to play in Kolkata and join the city giants like Mohun Bagan or East Bengal, would you join or remain in Aizawl?
Amna: Kolkata has brought the first football in India and any player would want to play for either of the teams, but I am now only thinking about the next game and then we will see what to do next.