PANJIM: Pune City FC didn’t have much to celebrate in the ISL season five, but their last match of the campaign against Mumbai City FC made it a special win in the Maharashtra Derby which helped them end their season on a high. The highlight of the game was a blistering volley which crashed into the archrival’s net by Goa’s Adil Khan which left Mumbai fans clueless.
The midfielder has literally amazed everyone ever since his come-back from the knee injury which kept him out for two seasons. Adil probably doesn’t boast of many goals, but he has scored incredible ones among the few he scored in the last two seasons. The latest coming in the final league match against semi-finalists Mumbai City FC.
–A no-look volley straight in the far corner!–
“It was special for me. I never thought I would score such a goal. But it came against Mumbai City. I used to practise such shots during training sessions and I am glad I managed to use it in my game. I timed the volley and connected it well,” explained Adil.
Khan latched on to an awkward lofted through ball from Robin Singh and smashed it on the volley past A Singh leaving the Mumbai FC keeper flat-footed as the fine strike went sailing into the far corner of the net.
Adil Khan isn’t new to scoring spectaculars as he had also scored one against NorthEast United with a diving header, but the former Delhi Dynamos player rated the goal against Mumbai City FC as the best.“Well the choice is quite simple. I know the goal against NorthEast was great but the one I scored against Mumbai City was more difficult. The timing of the shot and the perfect connect was the key for the goal and this is the best goal I have scored in the league. If I add on, this is definitely my best match of the season as despite starting poorly, we ended the season on a good note.
His strike is in contention for the fans goal of the week and is up against Jamshedpur FC’s Michael Soosairaj and FC Goa’s Ferran Corominas.
“I am still trying to watch the replays. I don’t think it’s an off-side. I timed my run. The ball didn’t come straight to me as it was in the air for some time, till I latched on to it,” explained Adil against the claims that his wonder goal was off-side.
This is the third ISL season for the Goan. He earlier represented Delhi Dynamos in the first season before playing for Bharat FC and Lone Star Kashmir in the 2015-16. But his return to top flight football was a bang. Having impressed for Churchill Brothers in the I-League, he was picked by FC Pune City where he played beyond the expectation level making him a crucial player in the league.
“We didn’t have a good start to our campaign and I was made to play as a defensive midfielder under coach Miguel Portugal. Things changed only when Pradyum Reddy was given the role and he gave me freedom to move upfront. Compared to last season I have fewer goals and it was too late for me to get more goals but nevertheless I am happy to score in the last league game,” explained Adil.
When asked if his strike could be the goal of the season, the former Churchill Brothers player quipped, “From my perspective I feel this could be the goal of the season. But honestly, there are many other goals including Delhi’s Rana Gharami’s 40-yard strike,” said the humble midfielder.
–Eyeing National call–
Adil is third on the tackles chart with 91 tackles to his name and with another successful season, is eyeing the National team, despite entering into 30’s.
He had made his senior international debut against Azerbaijan for India on February 27, 2012 and went on to make just three appearances. But the midfielder isn’t ready to give up on his aim to return to international football.
“Ever since my recovery, I have been expecting my name for the National camp for the past three years. I am expecting my name at least in the camp to show the coach and the staff how eagerly I want to play and do something for my country.
“If I can perform better for the club, then why not for my country? Before retirement I want to play for the National team,” added Adil, whose performance in recent times has earned him offers from several big clubs across the country.
