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FC Pune City were one of the most eye-catching teams in the recently concluded ISL season four. The Stallions created history by reaching their first ever playoffs where they failed in the penultimate hurdle against Bengaluru FC. But this was a season where the positives outnumbered the negatives for the Pune based unit.
And one of the biggest positives for them was the coming of age of a robust midfielder and utility man Adil Khan. The Goa-born midfielder was one of the most consistent performers for FC Pune City and was ultimately one of the best Indian players to play in season four.
Adil Khan has been Ranko Popovic's go-to guy during the course of the season. Be it at centre midfield, centre back or right back, Adil Khan has slotted in with ease wherever the team needed him to be. He performed exceedingly well as the defensive midfielder alongside Marcos Tebar and also delivered a fine performance at right back against Sunil Chhetri in the first leg of the semifinals.
Khan played 18 out of the 20 league matches for Pune and was the side's third highest goalscorer with 4 goals behind Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro. He also played a key role in helping the Stallions keep 7 clean sheets in the tournament which included 22 interceptions and 70 tackles from the big man.
Ahead of FC Pune City's Super Cup clash against Shillong Lajong, Sportskeeda caught up with Adil Khan to discuss a variety of topics ranging from his individual performance in the ISL to how he rediscovered himself from the serious injury that he suffered in 2014. Here are the excerpts from the chat with the Pune fan favourite:
Q. How would you describe the league season that went by for FC Pune City and for you individually?
Adil Khan (AK): It was a great season for us. Reaching the playoffs for the first time was a big moment in the club's history. For me, everything I aimed went in my way which helped me play at my best.
Q. The focus has now shifted onto the Super Cup. How is the mood in the camp and what do you have to say about your opponents, Shillong Lajong?
AK: The mood is great as always. It is always difficult to get in the groove after a break but we have trained brilliantly in the past few days and are ready for the Super Cup.
Shillong Lajong are a strong side. They have young quality players that can hurt us with their pace. We have to be at our best to beat them.
Q. What are your views on the Super Cup as a competition?
AK: This is a good thing for Indian football. With ISL ending in March, the Super Cup helps the football season in the country to be extended for a couple of months. Extending the duration of the season is needed and will now happen because of the Super Cup.
Q. You were one of Pune City's best performers alongside Marci, Rafa and Alfaro and were one of the few Indian players that produced consistent performances week in week out. What was the key in sustaining those high levels throughout the course of the ISL?
AK: I had mentally prepared myself for this ISL season. This was my chance to make a big comeback after all my injury troubles. I had worked hard to prepare myself in the best possible way and it paid off at the end.
Q. You played as a defensive midfielder, as a centre back and as a right back too in this season. How difficult was it for you to prepare differently for each role?
AK: It was not such a difficult task for me as I am accustomed to play in various roles as per the demands of the team. Since my academy days, I was able to play in midfield or at the back which has made me able to play anywhere according to the manager's wishes.
Q. What is your most favoured position?
AK: I love playing as a defensive midfielder. But my main focus is to play for the team. I can play anywhere in defence and in midfield. I'm versatile and hungry to play for the club.
Q. What has been the impact of Ranko Popovic on your style of play since arriving to play for the Stallions?
AK: Most importantly, Popovic understands and trusts his players completely. Off the field, the boss is great with us and is often joking around with the young players. I know he trusts me as I like to give my 100% in every duel and in every challenge which is also the kind of character that Popovic himself is.
Q. Indian players shone brighter than ever before in this edition of the ISL. Is the move to reduce the number of foreign players in the squad from the next season a step taken in the right direction?
AK: This is a fantastic move. In the first edition when I played for the Delhi Dynamos, Indian players were just used to fill the gaps in the playing eleven.
But the situation is different now and the Indian footballers are now getting a major role in every team. This decision will help the league in the coming years.
Q. Coming back to you, there were a lot of calls made in the media circles about you deserving a chance in the recent India squad for the Asian Cup qualifiers. Were you expecting a call back into the national fold after a successful ISL?
AK: Yes but honestly, it is the coach's decision at the end and I have to respect it. I have done my work and I hope that I get a chance in the coming international games.
Q. You suffered a disastrous injury back in 2014. How difficult was it for you during the recovery period to focus on coming back to play? What kept you motivated?
AK: It was a difficult time. The injury took 2 years of my life and stopped me from doing the thing I love the most that is to play football. But I never lost hope.
I worked hard in the gym, in the swimming pool and kept myself mentally motivated. It was the passion and dedication towards the game that kept me going. My family and friends also helped me a lot during this tough time.
Q. You have played your best football in the past two years. Did that injury play a part in rediscovering the present Adil Khan?
AK: Maybe! I believe that unless you get a downfall, you do not know how good you can be. During the injury period, I used to watch FC Goa's matches from the stands and used to be dying to get on the pitch.
That experience made me mentally strong and physically eager to get fit and storm back onto the field. So yes, you can say that the injury played a big part in today's Adil Khan!
