Krishnan Nair Ajayan, who started kicking the football for the SVH College in his hometown, has now matured to become one of the best footballers in the country and an inspirational leader for Mahindra United. He spoke to footballkerala.com on the season ahead, his team's match against Viva Kerala and so on......
FK: How was your last match against Viva Kerala?
"Viva Kerala were playing very good football in the first half. They could have scored a few goals, but luckily for us, we got a point from a very tough match."
When asked of the Kerala side's chance of survival in the I-League, he replied, "They are very good team for the I-League. I expect them to survive this season. It is not good for Kerala teams to show their faces in the top division for one season and then get relegated."
FK: How do you evaluate Mahindra United's season so far?
"The team has now lost 10 points from the last 5 games. That is not good for the team, but thankfully we are still in a good position in the table."
He continued, "We could have won all the matches except the Viva Kerala match. We play very well and create a lot of chances, but it is the goals that are not coming as we wish."
Ajayan who is a natural midfielder now plays as a right back as per instructions from his new coach David Booth.
"I have been playing in the midfield for the first few matches, but in the matches against Chirag and Viva, coach asked me to play as a wing back. Whatever may be the position, performance is the key. "
FK: What are your objectives for this season?
“Our main aim of this season is to become champions in I-League and qualify for the next year’s continental competitions.”
FK: What about the Federation Cup that is coming up next month?
“Obviously, we want to win the cup. That is also a way to qualify for the AFC Cup.”
Adwaidh R for footballkerala.com
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 8 November 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.