“Looking forward to play in India” - Interview with Pakistan's Zesh Rehman

Churchill Brothers open their AFC Cup campaign with an away match against Hong Kong’s Kitchee SC on Tuesday but it’s the reverse fixture on April 24 in Pune that will have extra significance, as Kitchee’s English-born Pakistan international Zesh Rehman will be in action.

Indo-Pak tensions have affected even sporting events over the years and most recently all nine Pakistani players who were supposed to play in the newly-launched Hockey India League returned home following protests.

As a result, Zesh is hoping that his first-ever appearance on Indian soil will remind both countries that sport cannot have any barriers.

“I have played against India at international level but never played or been there, so I am really looking forward to it but of course, I have my focus on the home match first. I definitely hope my appearance (in India) has a positive influence. I think the English league cup final is a perfect example to show that sport can unite people because Bradford City’s run to the final had united the Asian communities and the English people in that city,” Zesh told Sportskeeda in an exclusive interview.

Zesh is a former Bradford City player and youth product of Fulham, having played for the west London club in the English Premier League. He holds the distinction of being the first British Asian to play in the EPL but has been playing in Asia since 2011 and is in his second season at Kitchee.

“I am really enjoying my time here at Kitchee. There is a family atmosphere in the club with the local and foreign players getting along perfectly,” the central defender stated.

The 29-year-old was full of praise for Indian football and spoke very highly of Churchill Brothers and their new signing Sunil Chhetri.

“Football in India overall and the I-League has been improving a lot recently with good foreign coaches and players. Any team that finishes third in a domestic league is a quality side, so we respect Churchill Brothers. Of course, he (Sunil) is a great player and we will have to play well against him too,” the Pakistan international added.

Kitchee, who played out a 2-2 draw with Arsenal in a pre-season friendly last summer and is set to face Man United this summer, reached the knockout stages of the AFC Cup last season with Zesh also scoring his first goal for the club in that competition.

The former England youth international believes the experience in last year’s AFC Cup could help Kitchee this term although he is expecting a tough group stage.

“We reached the round of 16 last year so that experience could help us. But in the AFC Cup, every team has a chance to do well so we will respect every opponent. At the same time, we will try to focus more on ourselves and aim to be at our best and reach the next round again,” the defender opined.

Zesh will have to wait for a couple of months for his ground-breaking appearance in Pune, so for now the Pakistani and his Kitchee teammates will be looking to make the most of their home advantage on Tuesday and get all three points against Churchill.