Performing on the pitch is the best way to answer critics: Khalid Jamil

by Kaushal Shukla January 14, 2016

Mumbai FC have returned from Shillong with a highly credible point, and are already out on the field flexing their muscles for their home bow on Sunday, which sees them entertain one of the title contenders, East Bengal. The draw meant Mumbai FC have only lost once in their last ten games in the I-League, a sort of stability Head Coach Khalid Jamil craves for. But the Mumbai FC boss continues to have his critics who often condemn Jamil’s style of play and his team’s on-field antics as it is often labeled.

However there seems to be a change in the air with Jamil opting against a real target man this term and going with the pace of Ryuki Kozawa upfront. With top creative additions like Steven Dias, Arata Izumi and Eric Brown playing behind the striker, Mumbai FC have a bit about them.

With a solid spring board for greater leaps, Khalid Jamil prepares his side for something which was never seen realistically achievable at the club before, a genuine title tilt.

There seems to be an evolution taking place at the club and the man evolving with it, our Head Coach Khalid Jamil spared some moments of his busy schedule to give an exclusive interview to Football Counter ahead of the season’s first home game.
Progress and positivity seemed the agenda in Khalid’s words as he looked up to the season ahead, before ending the chat opening up on his animated goal celebrations and his way of dealing with his set of critics which refuse to go away.
A draw to start the campaign, how do you assess the team’s performance in Shillong?
KJ: The performance was good. It was vital to come away with a point from Shillong. We had two very good chances in the match, had we taken them we would have got a win. But it was an away game and it is important to take something from it.
You now have a run of three home games. How pleased were you with your home form last season and what are you looking from your home games this season?
KJ: Being the first year in Cooperage, I felt the home form was good. But of course we must do better this season. I felt we played well in our home matches, but this time, with the team we have, we must try to win every home game. The first game against East Bengal will be very important in that respect as it will give us the confidence we need for the rest of the season.
The squad is a lot bigger this time around. So will that mean you rotate the team a lot more?
KJ: Yes we will have to rotate. The games come thick and fast in the I-League and you have to ready for that. So it is necessary to have bigger squad with a lot of quality players. We struggled at times last season with injuries, but this year we will be fine with the squad at our disposal.
There are a few veterans in the team like N.P. Pradeep, Steven Dias, Sushil Kumar Singh and Arata Izumi. What role do you want them to play in the team?
KJ: All these are very good players. They are extremely seasoned and have been playing in this league for many years. There are going to be times this season, especially away from home when we will need their experience. So we will use them at that time. Even during tough home games like East Bengal, the senior players will come into play.
You have gone with a large contingent of Asian players in the team. Any specific reason for that?
KJ: No not really. I have chosen to go with that set of players as I found them of a very good quality. They offer what I wanted, and now I am very happy with the team. So there was no attempt to get players from a certain region, but the aim was to get the right quality and I have got them in these players.
Taisuke has been appointed the skipper of Mumbai FC for this season. What prompted you to take that call?
KJ: Taisuke was one of our best players last season and everyone in the squad really respects him a lot. He is very hard working and gives everything on the pitch and it is important for the leader of the team to have these qualities, so Taisuke was the perfect choice.
You also kept Jayesh Rane from last season. How do you asses him as a player and what are your expectations from him this campaign?
KJ: Jayesh is a very good player. I saw him in the ISL and he was improving every game. Even in training here he looks better with every passing day. I obviously have high expectations from Jayesh this season and there is responsibility on his shoulders.
Mumbai FC faced criticism for their on-field behavior and playing style at times last season. What is your take on it and do you feel the need to change that image?
KJ: I think the most important thing is football in the performance on the pitch. If that is right, everything else is taken care of. We have to go out on the pitch, perform well and win the match and everything else is over. As a team you don’t need to pay attention to what is said in the media, as the focus must always be on the performance and the result, as that isn’t important then.
Personally, you don’t express yourself a lot off the pitch. But when you are on the sidelines, you show plenty of emotion, especially when celebrating a goal, the way you do. Can you tell us what is different on the sidelines?
KJ: There is no special reason and I feel my reactions are natural. I am always very involved in my job and probably that’s the reason I can say which sparks that kind of reaction. It is not that I pre-determine those actions on the sidelines, but they come naturally to me, due to my involvement in the game.

Back home, how much is your family’s involvement in Mumbai FC? How often do they come to watch the games at Cooperage?
KJ: My family hasn’t come to the stadium yet to watch the games, but the involvement is still there. My two sons follow the game on TV and my wife is updated with the results and the happenings in the game, before I tell her. Before a game, I am very much focused and hence it becomes difficult to bring the kids to watch the game, but now that you asked, I feel it isn’t such a bad idea. You might see a lot more of them in the stands.
Lastly, the question that has been occupying the minds of the fans, can Mumbai FC win the I-League?
KJ: Why not! This season I feel we can do it. But we must start well. We have to go in flow and take it game by game, be safe from relegation in the first place and then take it from there. It was a good point in the first game and now we must get the three points against East Bengal. With some confidence, this team can work wonders, so why not fight for the title.