It would not be poetic justice if Ishfaq Ahmed, who supports Katta in tactics and counter-strategies with head coach Ivan Vukomanovic’s shoulder to shoulder, did not call Jay when the Blasters were six. The reason is that it’s been a long time since I started sweating in the gout and training session with the Ishfaq Blasters’ chunk and chunk. Ishfaq is a player who once wore a Blasters jersey and played in the Indian Super League (ISL) final. To be precise, Ishfaq Ahmed played in the inaugural final of the Kerala Blasters in the ISL. The 2021 – 2022 season final is the third ISL final in Ishfaq’s life. Ishfaq has been on the field twice before, when the Blasters played in the final. The only difference is that he is in the role of coach in the third final …
Ishfaq forever
Ishfaq joined Kerala Blasters in 2014. Ishfaq, a native of Srinagar, was then the central midfielder of the Yellow Army. Ishfaq is currently the most experienced member of the Kerala Blasters. This is Ishfaq’s eighth season in the ISL as a player and coach. In 2015, Ishfaq wore the coach’s shirt. That, too, started as the Blasters’ assistant coach. He joined Jamshedpur FC in the 2017-2018 season and was also an assistant coach there. Back in 2019, he joined the Yellow Army. When Kibu Vikuna was sacked in 2021, the Blasters’ own Ishfaq Ahmed took over as interim head coach.
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2014, 2016 ISL Final
Ishfaq was the center midfielder of the Kerala Blasters in the first ISL season of 2014. In the league round, Kerala Blasters advanced to the play – offs with 19 points from 14 matches. Ishfaq Ahmed scored the first goal against Chennai in the first quarter semi – final at the Jahaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Ishfaq Ahmed scored in the 27th minute. Hume (29th minute) and Sushant Mathew (90 + 3rd minute) then scored to give the Blazers a 3-0 lead. In the second quarter, the Blasters entered the final, ending Chennai’s threat in extra time. Ishfaq was still in the Blasters’ midfield despite losing 1–0 to Atletico de Kolkata in the final.
Ishfaq was still in the midfield when the Blasters played in the ISL final in 2016 but was unable to kiss the cup.
Blastershouse player
Ishfaq said the most painful moment as a Blasters player was the defeat in the 2014 and 2016 ISL finals. The 38-year-old is confident that he will be able to make up for the loss in 2021-2022.
Ishfaq joined the Blasters in 2014 from the Mohammedan’s Club in Kolkata when he was looking for a role as the Kerala Blasters’ central midfielder. Ishfaq played 25 games for the Blasters until 2017. Scored a goal, the first quarter goal of the 2014 ISL semi. Despite playing in the 2016 ISL final, Ishfaq was left with nothing but disappointment. In 2016, only six matches were played for the Yellows.
Started playing cricket
Ishfaq started his career playing cricket. Ishfaq, a resident of Babarshah area in Srinagar, soon realized that his sport was football. During his school days, he started playing football through the YMCA. Played in the striker position and became the tape scorer in the state championship. His arrival in the Kashmir Under-21 team has caught the eye of leading clubs. He joined the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) team in 2002-2003. Top scorer for HAL with seven goals. He also scored against East Bengal, Dempo Goa and Churchill Brothers. Ishfaq arrived at Dempo in 2003 with a clear zodiac sign. He then played for Mohun Bagan, Salgaocar and East Bengal. He also played for Mohammedan, Pune City and Mumbai City.
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Blasters coach
Ishfaq also had the role of co-coach when he was a player in 2015. In 2015, three head coaches came and went: Peter Taylor, Trevor Morgan and Terry Phelan. Ishfaq has worked with nine coaches, including Steve Koppel, Rene Mulstein, David James, Elko Shatturi and Kibu Vikuna. Ivan Vukomanovich is the 10th head coach to work with Ishfaq at the Blasters. Ishfaq also became the head coach for two matches when Vikuna was sent off. Ishfaq remained with the Blasters despite the change of coaches, then and now …