KARACHI Returning empty-handed from the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Pakistan football teams disheartened captain Mohammad Essa has said that he was left with no choice but to retire due to the circumstances created around him.
Speaking to Dawn on Saturday, Essa said that he would still be available for his department — Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) — in domestic matches and is only retiring from international football, a decision that he made during the tour.
'I wouldn't call it a rash decision as I announced my retirement after giving it much thought and also after discussing it with my deputy, goalkeeper Jaffar Khan, who also announced his retirement at the same time. It's the circumstances that have forced us to say goodbye to the game,' said the 26-year-old striker.
Essa, who has lately been playing in the midfielder's position against his wishes on the order of the team's Austrian Chief Coach George Kottan, added 'I have been playing as a striker for nine years and been very successful in that position, too. Then along comes this coach, who sends me behind the forward line.'
'I've requested him to let me play as a striker so many times that even I'm tired of it now. We already have the South Asian Federation (SAF) Games football title and were looking forward to taking the SAFF title, this year too, but it couldn't happen. The tournament takes place after two years and I don't think I will be part of the national squad in the next edition,' he said dejectedly.
'I have earned much respect from my nation during these nine years that I've been playing football. It is okay if I leave now as I've also been married for three years and my family needs me, too. In fact my second son Mohammad Zariyan Essa was born just yesterday while I was on the return flight to Pakistan. I missed the important personal event of my son's birth as I was away playing,' said Essa in an emotional tone.
'The federation doesn't allow us to travel with our families like the cricketers do. I miss my family a lot during the foreign tours. Football takes much of my time as we are playing domestic events and leagues for over six months in a year,' he pointed out.
About his grievances with the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Essa said 'Please don't get me wrong. I have no issues with the federation. Our president Faisal Saleh Hayat has done a lot for us and on this tour he even increased our daily allowance to $60. I have much to thank him for.'
When asked if the induction of the foreign players of Pakistani origin had been a problem for him, he answered in the negative.
'No, the foreign players provided strength to the team. We were termed as favourites for the SAFF Championship but exited the event without any major accomplishment thanks to weak planning,' he said.
About goalkeeper Jaffar Khan's problem with Kottan, he said that he dropped him for the first two matches against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
'He only let him play in the third match against Bhutan. Both Jaffar and I announced our retirements after the Bangladesh match and it was only then that he let Jaffar play while also allowing me to play as striker against Bhutan. We beat Bhutan 7-0. Jaffar made spectacular saves and I scored two goals, too, but what is the use of the win when you are already out of the tournament?' he asked.
'Afterwards, Kottan came to me to say that I still had five years of football left in me. The federation, too, issued a statement that they wouldn't let us quit. They have also said that they'll be calling a meeting to discuss all our grievances and try and convince us to take back our decision. Coach Kottan's contract, too, expires in February and he would probably leave but I don't think I want to play any more international tournaments,' he concluded.
