Interview with Indian hockey forward Affan Yousuf: Always hungry to play for senior team

Indian hockey forward Affan Yousuf

The rich contributions of the state of Madhya Pradesh over many decades towards Indian hockey are well documented. The names of former Olympians and World Cuppers like Ahsan Mohammad Khan, Ahmed Sher Khan, Inam-Ur-Rahman, Shahid Noor, Aslam Sher Khan, Mohammed Yousuf, S Jalauddin Rizvi and Samir Dad talk a lot about the state as a breeding ground for new talents.

However, a close look at the last few decades will reveal that the state is struggling to provide a supply line to the national men’s team. Given this scenario, there is one youngster who is determined to make it big for the Indian senior team.

Talented Affan Yousuf made his senior international debut under coach Terry Walsh’s first assignment as national head coach during the 2014 Hockey World League Final Round in New Delhi and has since then not being picked in the senior team. The 20-year-old Bhopal lad, who turns out for Jaypee Punjab Warriors in the HIL, spoke in an exclusive interview.

Excerpts:

Are you disappointed not to be among the 26 core probables since you were part of the earlier core probables of the senior team?

I’m disappointed not to be among the 26 core probables. Getting picked and dropped is part and parcel of a player and I’m just trying to stay positive. I’m sure opportunities will come my way.

You made your senior international debut at the 2014 Hockey World League Final Round in New Delhi. How was the experience?

There was no doubt that I was richer with the experience. There is nothing like getting to play against the world’s top teams like Australia, Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. Obviously playing in the senior team is much different from playing in the Indian junior team. We beat Germany 5-4 and held them 3-3 in that tournament, which are great memories for me and the team.

Where do you think the Indian team needs to work on to match the world’s top sides?

I think individually the Indian players are really good but when it comes to playing as a unit we have a lot of catching up to do to match the world’s top sides. Sides like Australia, Germany, Netherlands have so much in-depth understanding among their players and are so fit that orchestrating a move upfront comes easily to them. We can also learn from the way they anticipate.

You have played in the two editions of the Hero Hockey India League for Jaypee Punjab Warriors. How has been the experience playing alongside Jamie Dwyer, Chris Ciriello and Jaap Stockmann?

It’s been a fantastic experience so far for me in the HIL. I played in the HIL for the first time in the 2014 and being a youngster I was shy and did not open up much but in the 2015 edition I started befriending many players in the team. Chris Ciriello is one of my good friends in the side – he asks me to call Chris Uncle as he feels I am quite young. There is so much to learn playing with these famed foreign players be it on the pitch or off the pitch.

What improvement areas you want to focus on?

I think I need to be strong on the ball. Of course, speed is my biggest forte but I also believe I need to improving my percentage of converting scoring chances.

Indian team have made rapid strides in fitness over the last few years thanks to our association with foreign coaches and trainers. Who is the fittest guy in the Indian team?

Gurbaj Singh is the fittest player in the Indian team. He is a class act and perhaps one of the world’s best right-halfs around. He mingles with the youngsters nicely and always mentors us when needed.

You just played once for the senior team and that was way back in January 2014. It’s been more than two years that you have been out of the selectors’ radar.

I have performed well in all domestic tourneys as well as for the national junior team. I’m optimistic about getting a call-up to the senior team. My dream is to play for the national team and that hunger will always be there.

There is a lot of competition in the Indian forwardline – will that make it harder for you?

Competition is good for the side and as far as I’m concerned I will look to keep performing in all domestic tournaments as well as in the 2016 HIL. I’m confident that the doors of the selectors will open for me one day.