Nikhil Poojary speaks to AIFF Media about his come back to the National Team…

Nikhil Poojary is back in the national team after almost four years. His last outing – the 0-0 draw against Qatar in the World Cup Qualifiers in Doha in September 2019 – might have been one of India’s more impressive results of recent times, but Poojary that day was left a bit dissatisfied.

“Everybody remembers that we played a top match against Qatar, which was the last time I played for the national team. But personally, when I was substituted off, I knew I hadn’t played my best game. I gave my 100 per cent, but I couldn’t contribute to the game in the way the team needed me. I knew I hadn’t done enough to keep my place in the next camp,” shared Poojary.

💪 Back with the #BlueTigers 🇮🇳

Nikhil Poojary tells @IndianFootball how special it feels to don the National Team colors…#IndianFootball #BackTheBlue #WeAreHFC #మనహైదరాబాద్ #HyderabadFC 💛🖤

Read the full interview 👉 https://t.co/ASVZaL85Kp pic.twitter.com/Bo7ExLkBPD

— Hyderabad FC (@HydFCOfficial) May 24, 2023

From then on began a journey of resurgence, one which made him more focussed than ever, with the single goal of donning the blue of India once again. “I knew that if I wanted to make a comeback, I needed to do much better. Then when Hyderabad FC was formed (in 2019), gradually my confidence and performance also grew. I hadn’t received a call up then, but it was okay as I knew I had to keep working hard because the competition in the national team is very tough,” said Poojary.

Read the full interview on the AIFF website