AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: A man of few words, Anwar Ali mostly lets his play on the pitch do the talking. Dominating forwards around with ease and displacing them off possession is what the defender prefers to mincing words. However www.the-aiff.com had a sit down with the lanky defender and talked at length about his footballing journey and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. EXCERPTS:

How did you started playing football?

My father used to take me to play football when I was very young as he was also a football player. There was a ground nearby our house and that is where I started playing football. My father used to coach me a bit when I was young and eventually I fell in love with the sport and have not looked back ever since.

How supportive was your family in your journey to the Indian U-17s?

My father was very supportive when I first wanted to make a career in football but my mother still had some doubts. After I made it into the Indian U-17s, my mother was the happiest person on the planet and she burst into tears when she received the news.

With the FIFA U-17 World Cup at hand, how does it feel like?

It feels unreal. I always had a dream of playing in a FIFA World Cup and now with less than few hours to go, it feels surreal. It feels like all the sacrifices and hardships that I have endured are worth it. I am very excited and honored to be a part of the Indian U-17s.

Are you ready?

We are ready, both physically and mentally and are raring to go. The excitement in the camp is unlike anything, everyone wants to give more than their cen percent in the matches that we play in the FIFA U-17 World Cup.