Jamshedpur FC

Experienced custodian, Pawan Kumar recently completed his move to Jamshedpur FC. The 30-year-old goalkeeper comes with eight years of top-tier league experience and a trophy-laden career having won the I-League, the Federation Cup and the Indian Super League twice.

Pawan spoke to the media after signing. Here are some excerpts from the conversation:

On the opportunity of joining Jamshedpur FC

I take this opportunity and role as a big responsibility. I want to give my 100% for the club on and off the pitch. I want to give something back to the club and fans for this season. It’s a massive challenge for me as I know we want to qualify for the ISL play-offs in our quest to become champions of India.

On how he began his career

I was born in a village named Khokhar Foujian, Gurdaspur. I started playing in my village when I was a kid, with my friends and brothers. In the year 2000, I got selected for the Chandigarh Football Academy. I graduated from there in 2007 and joined JCT. After three seasons with JCT, I joined Air India in 2010 (based in Mumbai), and from there, I got scouted into Salgaocar, where I started playing games regularly for them in the I-League.

You have been at the top level for eight years now. What are the main characteristics that a goalkeeper should have according to you?

As a goalkeeper, my role is essential to the team. They can see everything from the back, and in modern football, all goalkeepers are improving with their feet. You may have seen many teams adopting the ‘play from the back’ approach. Football has evolved a lot over the years and so has the role of the goalkeeper.

You have come to play in Jamshedpur with your previous clubs. How was your experience?

I see Jamshedpur as a very professional club. Looking at their growth over the past three seasons, I always wanted to play at the Furnace. So, this is like a dream come true for me. The atmosphere of the club is fantastic. The fan following in Jharkhand and Jamshedpur is terrific as the passion for the game runs sky high. The Furnace lights up with over 20,000 spectators each time Jamshedpur FC plays; I am pumped up to have these vociferous fans on my side.

On getting the opportunity of playing under Owen Coyle…

His heroics from last season are a testament to what he can bring to the club and the players. He is one of the best coaches in India and he has invaluable experience in football having managed clubs in the Premier League, Scottish League and MLS. Honestly, I feel lucky to play under a coach like him.

Jamshedpur FC has a lot of youngsters. Are you looking forward to working with them?

We have some fantastic young talent in our Jamshedpur FC squad. We saw their performances last season and I was awestruck. Amarjit, Narender, Aniket, Jitu all came out with flying colours. Mandi and Mobashir were also quite amazing whenever they played. Their mature performances didn’t make them seem so young. Even Niraj; I know he didn’t get to play with a player like Subrata there, but, I know he is a good goalkeeper and I am sure he learnt a lot from Paul da. Some of these players are also playing for the national team, which I am sure makes the city of Jamshedpur proud.

Message to the fans…

We are going to give our 100%. I will miss the fans during my first season with the club as the tournament is in Goa. Hopefully, when things get better next season, I will be able to play in front of a packed Furnace.