Irfan Yadwad: I hope to play in the I-League and see what happens from there

Khel Now spoke to the promising forward in an exclusive interview.

Footballers who score bucket-loads of goals are showered with the highest praise across the world. It is an insanely difficult skill to master. In recent times, India has lacked a product line of reliable goal-scoring centre forwards.

One name that is being spoken of with much promise among Bengaluru's footballing circles is FC Bengaluru United's Irfan Yadwad. He is the BDFA Super Division top scorer with 15 goals from 18 games. He continued his clinical exploits in FC Bengaluru United's run to the Stafford Cup victory, finding the back of the net eight times.

Currently helping his team on the long and winding road to I-League promotion in the Hero Second Division, Irfan is doing what he does exceedingly well, scoring goals with unerring regularity. He is the top scorer with 11 goals, and FCBU are leading Group C. Khel Now spoke to Irfan Yadwad in an exclusive interview. Here is what he had to say.

Career progression

Irfan Yadwad rose through the age groups with Goa Police Club and Panjim Footballers. He got his big break with Sporting Clube De Goa. The player talked of his career progression, "I started my career from childhood, I played the development league with Sporting Clube De Goa and they promoted me to the senior team. I suffered an injury and they put me with the development team after my rehabilitation. I was the top scorer there and performed well. That was the ignition for my career."

Recovering from injury

Irfan talked about his battle with a knee injury and the support from his family, "I suffered a meniscus injury to my knee in 2019 and was bedridden for three months. I recovered mainly by hitting the gym after medical clearance. My family supported me a lot financially. My cousins, parents everyone pitched in. My private physio was of great help for the rehabilitation as well."

AIFF's new foreign player regulations an opportunity for Indians

AIFF’s new regulations state that there will be no foreign players in the 2nd Division I-League. Usually, foreign strikers have dominated the lower ranks. Irfan sees this as a big opportunity for young Indian strikers. "In my case, I play mainly as a striker, a number centre forward. Mostly the foreign strikers are here for their physicality. But it is not like we Indians cannot play similarly as a number nine.

"So far I am happy with my performances and going ahead will want to continue this. I am improving my positioning. As a striker, positioning is key for goalscoring. As there are no foreign strikers, it's a good chance for Indian forwards to prove ourselves and show our ability.

Eight months in the Garden City

Irfan trialed with FCBU last year and has been a big force behind their I-League push. The 22-year-old spoke of how he built confidence, "I came to Bengaluru for the first time and trialled with FC Bengaluru United. I got selected and carried forward the confidence of that for the present and for the future. I will keep performing for the team. It has been eight months, I aim to continue performing well."

Atmosphere at FCBU

Irfan spoke of the atmosphere within the club, "The atmosphere is very nice and the team is competent. They are very supportive both on and off the pitch. It is almost like a family. We missed out on the BDFA Super Division, had a new coach, new players. It was difficult at the start but it is the nature of the sport. You should never give up and the team bounced back with the Stafford Cup."

Goals and ambitions

The new league tier system has enabled promotion and relegation between ISL and I-League, with talks of ISL becoming a 16-team league by 2026. Irfan's goal as an FCBU player is, "The aim for everyone is promotion to the I-League. I hope to play in the I-League and see what happens from there. We failed twice, but my aim is to qualify this time and there are several chances to do that."

Irfan's career goals and ambitions are "My aim is to play for the national team and represent them. I want to take things step by step. I-League, ISL, and then the national team."

Inspiring words of advice

When asked about a quote or advice that has stuck with him throughout, Irfan said, "In a league game I had missed a crucial penalty. Khalid Jamil sir, who had supported me a lot throughout my career, told, "Things like these happen in football. Never give up, keep playing to your ceiling and you will play for India one day." This quote has been a huge motivation for me."