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[caption id="attachment_43738" align="aligncenter" width="480"] Anas Edathodika bagged the AIFF Best Defender Award for the year 2017. File Pic[/caption] Kolkata: Anas Edathodika, the 29 years old central defender from Malappuram has been a sensational performer for Mohun Bagan this season.The powerful defender has also made his dream come true this season to make his way to the national team. The AIFF Best Defender Award is also completely deserving for the Bagan defender. It was his brother’s Geography teacher then, Ajmal C.T., who was a football player and fanatic, used to get talented youngsters, in batches, to train under his patronage and even landed them opportunities with the Indian Air Force and Railways. Anas was one of the players he helped to grow up as player. Today, Anas spoke to the media after the training about his feeling to get the first ever Best Defender award. Here goes the interaction: Q: How are you feeling to get the best defender's award? Anas: I'm feeling really honoured. I've been playing Indian domestic football for the last eleven years. Unfortunately, I have never got any trophy, neither the I-League nor the Federation Cup. I came to Mohun Bagan to win a major trophy. We have failed to win the I-League, so it's very disappointing. Q: What would be your mission for the future? Anas: Well, we should now try and win the forthcoming Federation Cup. If we can with that, it will be a huge achievement in my career. Q: Who has been your idol? Anas: Well, I keenly follow Sergio Ramos and former Barca defender Carles Puyol. They are my idols. Q: Who are your favourites in Indian football? Anas: I have been a big fan of Mahesh Gawli. I will push myself to reach as close as possible to his standards. Though it's an impossible task to match him. I love watching Sandesh Jinghan as well. Q: What was your initial reaction when you came to know that you have been selected as the best defender? Anas: It could have been better if I would have won this award and the I-League at the same time. I want to dedicate this award to my coaches, my fans, my team mates and my family.