Fahad to bolster Kidderpore in the CFL; aims to develop his skill in Europe before returning to India
Sudeep Pakrashi: Kidderpore SC, the CFL Premier Division team seem determined to qualify for the ‘Super Six’ of the CFL Premier Division this season. And in a bid to build up a formidable squad, along with a few promising footballers from Manipur, Fahad Temuri can be one of the key men in the team this season. The 20-year-old striker joined the team’s training held at Barrackpore Stadium a week ago. Team’s coach Souren Duta when asked about Temuri’s quality in the training, commented, “He looks potential, has good speed and impressive passing ability.” Fahad however will be able to play for Kidderpore till the end of September as he divulged, “I will have to return to Spain at the end of September to obtain my visa.” The striker was playing for Delhi FC last season. He played matches in the Durand Cup also. But deprived of enough match-time, Fahad obtained an opportunity to join a third vision team in Spain, Cillia FC. But as he joined the team at the end of the season, his agent helped him to obtain the opportunity to join a fifth-division Dutch team Vv Noordwijk. While speaking to Parallel Sports Fahad revealed, “I had trained with the first team of Noordwijk. I played one competitive match for them. I also took part in a few friendly matches for Cilla FC in Span. Considering the improvement of skill I can say I learned a lot. You will have to develop your skill always while playing with the ball and in the process, you will learn correct passing.” Fahad hails from a football family. His grandfather Shujat Asraf donned Mohammedan Sporting, East Bengal, and India shirts. His father Aftab Ashraf also was a professional footballer who represented Delhi in Santosh Trophy. More significantly, Fahad was a student of the same school, Mamta Modern where iconic Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri used to study. “I have not yet obtained an opportunity to meet Sunil. I will be thrilled if I can meet Chhetri. I will ask his advice about how to develop more as a striker. But, I will also try to ask him a question that some of the Indian coaches have a habit of judging a footballer, watching his hairstyle or his state?” Fahad expressed disappointment over a former Indian international footballer and coach also Venkatesh for his favoritism. I was in the under-20 national preparatory camp representing Indian Arrows for the last time. Venkatesh was the coach. He excluded me from the national problems as I was from Delhi and because of my hairstyle. He never judged my performance in the training.” The striker has an ultimate aim to represent the senior Indian team in the future. But before that, he wants to gain more maturity by playing in Europe for more couple of years.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son gets maiden Portugal U-15 call-up
Five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo’s eldest son Cristiano dos Santos has been called up to the Portugal U-15 football team for the first time on Tuesday. The development of Dos Santos getting selected in the youth national team was shared by the Al Nassr star who took to Instagram to share the exciting news. Like his father, the 14-year-old Dos Santos currently plays for the Al Nassr youth team in Saudi Arabia. He also had spells at Juventus and Manchester United- Ronaldo’s former clubs. Portugal U-15 will face the likes of Japan, Greece and England at the Vlatko Markovic youth tournament in Croatia scheduled to be held from May 13 to 18. Beaming with pride, Ronaldo wrote on Instagram, “Proud of you, son.” Dos Santos’s made a move to Al Nassr from Manchester United in 2023 after Ronaldo left the Old Trafford following a fall out with then Red Devils boss Erik Ten Hag. Prior to that, Dos Santos represented Juventus at the youth level. Following his move to Al Nassr, Dos Santos impressed everyone in the Saudi Arabian youth division. He has also been at Real Madrid academy. According to a BBC report, Dos Santos has scored as many as 58 goals in a season during his time with Juventus. He has also played alongside former Manchester United great Wayne Rooney’s son, Kai, at the Old Trafford during Ronaldo’s second stint with English giants. Notably, Dos Santos is also eligible to play for the United States – his country of birth – and Spain because of Ronaldo’s residency when his father was playing for Real Madrid.
