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Anwar Ali took two minutes in his sixth appearance for India to score a goal. The elated centre-back felt a weight off his shoulders just as the ball lifted into the roof of the net. He ran straight into the arms of his teammates, and then the jubilant crowds in what was a momentous occasion in his career.
The goal, the guile and energy that Anwar demonstrated to volley it home, epitomizes his early struggles as a budding footballer.
The trials and tribulations of Anwar Ali
A starrer for India at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Anwar was among India’s sought-after talents, eventually joining Mumbai City FC. Things were going smooth as a national team call-up also beckoned, but a routine health check-up almost changed the trajectory of his career.
“I was in Mumbai when found out about this problem. I had just joined the team so I did not know everyone. I was in my room and did not talk to my family much because I was scared to share this news with my family. I used to sit in my room alone…,” Anwar told Sports Tak in an exclusive interview.
Then 19-years-old, Anwar was diagnosed with ‘Hypertrophic Myocardiopathy’ — a heart condition where the heart muscle wall becomes abnormally thick and affects the pumping of blood.
It was the same condition that caused the untimely demise of former Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foe, who collapsed on the field during the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final game, and died in the hospital.
With expert doctors in India and France deeming his case extreme, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) medical committee barred him from even practicing with a professional club.
“...I have been playing from when I was a kid and suddenly when you hear such news you feel bad,” the 21-year-old said. “But my family held me up. They assured me by saying that these kinds of ups and downs happen in life. So that made me believe that I should not give up and I will give my 100% to get back to that level. So I did not give up.”
And that he did not, for in two years and after continuous tests, he was cleared by UK-based Dr Sanjay Sharma, who has also worked with Premier League clubs and treated Danish star Cristian Eriksen, who collapsed on the field due to similar heart-related conditions at a UEFA Euros 2020 game against Finland.
Anwar Ali’s much-awaited ISL return
After spending time in local state-league clubs in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, Anwar got his chance in the I-League qualifiers and then the Durand Cup with Delhi FC, with whom he eventually lost in the quarterfinals against none other than… his current club FC Goa.
“I have wanted to play for FC Goa for a long time because I really like their playing style,” an excited Anwar shared, having made 10 appearances in his debut season and assisting once.
Revealing his love for the Goan-based club, he said, “They have a good possession-based, build-up game that attracted me. I also played against them in the Durand Cup and soon after I also got the offer from them. It felt great."
Cementing a national team sport alongside Sandesh Jhingan
Now, his time to shine with the national team has come. "The feeling was great because I never thought I would score on such a big stage. (But) It is an even bigger achievement is that I am playing for the national team.
“Also, because I am a centre-back and they don't score too much and scoring early into my senior international career is a different feeling altogether. For defenders to get goal-scoring chances is rare so we have to convert whatever we can,” he added.
Building a formidable partnership with senior defender Sandesh Jhingan is imperative for the success of the national team, but Anwar is not worried. “Sandesh told me, 'Paaji, field mein sab ek jaise hi hote hai, koi senior, koi junior nahi (Brother, on the field everyone is the same, no senior or junior),” he recalled.
Anwar added, “He just says our communication must be good. I will always have to be there to cover for him and he also covers for me. Knowing your partner (on the field) is very important. You need to know each other's strengths and weaknesses."
He also did not hold himself back in his plaudits for Indian head coach Igor Stimac, who has silenced his own critics with India’s performance in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. "Very thankful to Igor Stimac. Because he called me up even before my heart condition was diagnosed. I am very thankful that he gave me this chance to play,” he said.
Concluding a fruitful conversation, Anwar spoke about every professional footballer’s dream but was his meticulous self while discussing a potential plan to reach the grand stage of the FIFA World Cup.
“Every player dreams of playing in the World Cup for his country. But it is a step-by-step process. But if we work hard on these steps then within 10 years we can play in the World Cup. We just have to do well step-by-step. We did well to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup and now we have to perform well there too.”
Catch the video interview here:
