’Goal machine’ can play major role for JK team in Santosh Trophy

GK NEWS NETWORK

With just 7-days left for 63rd edition of Santosh Trophy, J&K Team is practicing hard in a coaching camp at Srinagar. The final team would be announced on May 17 and they would leave for Tamil Nadu next day.

ZUBAIR AHMAD

Age: 19

Position: Striker

Teams played: AS Academy, Solina Sports, Mohun Bagan Academy, JK Police, JK Bank

Employer Team: JK Police

At young age, Zubair is not a new face in JK football as he has achieved lot of success. He started his career with Amar Singh Club Academy where from he moved to Solina Club. He mesmerized football fans of the valley with his skills. He shortly attracted attention of teams and selectors. He was recruited by the JK Police and in 2007 and 2008, he was Police team’s goal machine. If JK Police dominated the football arena of the valley in 2007 and 2008, credit goes to Zubair. Seeing his talent, JK Bank selected Zubair in 2009. He last year was part of JK Santosh Trophy squad and was able to score two goals in the tournament. In his first school national game, he scored six goals for the state and was also selected for the school national India trial. In the proceeding school national games, he scored four goals and in under-19 school games, he scored one goal. In the prestigious Subroto Mukherjee Cup, he was instrumental and scored four goals. As for sub junior a national championship is concerned, he has represented state on two occasions and in junior national championship as well. In under-21 national championship he has represented state on one occasion. Zubair was also selected for the Mohun Bagan Academy, but he was not able to stay for long due to health reasons. Experts term Zubair as future of JK football. They say that at young age he is among the top strikers of the Valley and can play a major role for JK team in the upcoming Santosh Trophy.. He has got good ball control and dribbling skills. He has lot of confidence and is naturally gifted striker. Like all the big strikers, he is the man who always remains at right place at right moment. The only thing he needs to improve is his physique and left moment otherwise there is no striker better than him currently in the Valley, experts say. About the chances of JK team in upcoming Santosh Trophy, he said, “We are a young and talented team and have high hopes of doing well in the event. Though I represented JK team last year, playing outside state is different. Last year we played in front our own people, who supported us. This year support would be almost nil. We have to play as a team, if we have to win the coveted event.”

Apeared in May 17 : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=17_5_2009&ItemID=8&cat=4