Kolkata: Their come back in this season is nothing but like a Phoenix, especially after getting relegated in the previous season from the Hero I-League. The team came back into the picture again after a mass petition filed from all parts of the country. But this season it has been nothing short of a folktale, the team from NorthEast has been breezing ahead like an inexorable force and sitting on the top of the points table at the moment. The man who has been the mastermind of all the outstanding success this season, Aizawl FC‘s Head Coach Khalid Jamil spoke exclusively with www.xtratime.in today and spoke the inner stories of the ineffable journey. Have a read:
XT : Is this a magic of the name Khalid Jamil, or something else behind this unbelievable success?
Khalid: I don’t believe in magic. The credit goes to the players and their hunger and tenacity to achieve bigger dreams. They might not be stars as yet, but are really talented and all play for the team.
XT : Do you think, Aizawl FC is the firm favourites right now to be the champions?
Khalid: I never focus on the things which can put pressure on my players. Right now my entire focus is the next game we will play and we are preparing accordingly. At the moment we are not thinking about the championships. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan too have great teams and they are in the race as well. It is too early to say now.
XT : Bhaichung Bhutia has compared your team with last year’s Leicester City. How do you wanna react to that compliment?
Khalid: Thanks to him for his compliment. But I am happy with my players and they are the reason why Aizawl is here at the moment.
XT : Usually, NorthEast football clubs don’t entertain players outside the hills to be there in their sides. How big a revolution was that to bring Jayesh Rane, Albino Gomes and Asutosh Mehta?
Khalid: Well, David left the club and joined East Bengal at the start of the season. So I needed a good attacking midfielder and Jayesh was available. I didn’t think too much and signed him immediately. I needed a good right fullback and Asutosh was available. I signed him. Albino too has been a great inclusion as you mentioned. The recruits were not just for recruiting. I recruited the players I needed in my team. I’m happy that they have played a significant part.
XT : East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru all had big budgets, where as, you had to work with limited resources. What do you want to say on this?
Khalid: Football cannot be played only with money. Talent and team work are the keys. East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru are no doubt big teams and have big budgets. But my team may not have huge budget, but I have a team full of talents and there is never a problem in motivations.
XT : The league is now going towards the business end. Who seemed to be the toughest team in your opinion to beat so far?
Khalid: All the teams are really competitive this season. But East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Bengaluru FC have been the strongest without a doubt. But all the teams are giving a good fight. It has been a challenging season so far.