“a message from coach was enough to change my mind” Anas Edathodika about his come back

Anas Edathodika is all set to come back to the national team camp starting on June 25 in Mumbai for the Intercontinental Cup after he decided international retirement.

The Kerala Blasters centre back announced that he is going to quit international football after the AFC Asian Cup in January 2019 but “a message from Coach (Igor) Stimac” was enough to change his mind.

“The respect I earned while playing for the National Team is something which has pushed me to challenge myself again,” Anas quipped. “At the moment, I’m just focussing on the camp, and not thinking about making the cut to the team at all. Whatever comes my way, I’ll accept it,” he admitted. “I’m equally passionate and focused like what I was one year back. I’m ready to push myself more.”

“Every coach has a different philosophy, and see the game differently. We had some great results before, and now all the boys whom I have spoken to, have lauded coach Stimac heavily.”

The Malappuram-born centre-back earned 19 caps for the Indian national team under Stephen Constantine. He entered the national team set-up at the age of 30, debuting in a 3-2 win against Cambodia in March 2017. Despite his late entry into Constantine’s national team set-up, he managed to create a formidable defensive partnership with Sandesh Jhingan and quickly became the coach’s first-choice centre back.

“Coach Stimac has shown his faith in me, and it’s my turn to repay him. Coach messaged me to join the upcoming camp. Honestly, I was taken aback. Later Venky-bhai (Assistant Coach Venkatesh Shanmugam) shared all details, and I just can’t wait to join the camp,” he stated.

“Every coach has a different philosophy, and see the game differently. We had some great results before, and now all the boys whom I have spoken to, have lauded coach Stimac heavily” Anas added.

Stimac welcomed Anas’s decision. “Anas had played a significant role under Mr. Constantine, and I welcome his decision to accept my call, and make himself available for the national team after we spoke,” he said.