Jamshedpur FC’s season started as good as it can be after roping in a new coach Antonio Iorindo, an experienced campaigner who joined the team from the steel city after managing various clubs in La-Liga. The Red Miners also signed quite a handful number of players including five new foreigners. They were unbeaten in the first three matches as they handed their first defeat at Kolkata against ATK. Before that match, they looked like an invincible squad. The player that caught the eyes of everyone was Farukh Choudhary, who came into the limelight last season. He impressed everyone with his performance in the first half of the league, not only in scoring but also in assisting more goals. He was a consistent performer for Jamshedpur FC in what was a rather disappointing campaign for the Men of Steel.
Early years of Farukh Choudhary
Farukh started his career as Centre Back, then joined the academy of FC Pune and then joined Lonestar Kashmir to play the second division I-League where he scored six in eighteen matches. He later joined Kerala Blasters FC under Steve Coppell where he got to play in only two matches. Then he was loaned out to Mumbai FC. Jamshedpur FC picked him up in the eleventh round in the ISL auction 2017. Then he slowly becomes a regular player in the starting eleven. He also made ten appearances for the Indian National Team.
The year to remember for Farukh at Jamshedpur FC
Under Steve Coppell in 2017, Farukh did not rise to his potential. Next year under the head coach Cesar Ferrando, he managed to score two goals and also gained the experience to play under Australian legend Tim Cahill.
The Red Miners shook hands with Atletico Madrid and roped in quality foreigners that included Atletico Madrid B loanee, Sergio Castel and the coach worked hard in the practice sessions to build up a strong combination between Sergio Castel and Farukh Choudhary. That duo had helped Jamshedpur off to a flying start. About his combination with Sergio, Farukh also said, “He’s a great guy off the pitch, he’s so funny and you’ll laugh so much when you’re with him. He makes sure to work hard for everyone. Being together and training together helped us get that combination. Whenever I had the ball I knew where to play the ball and vice-versa when he got the ball. Until he got injured, we were having a great time. Getting injured was a difficult phase for him. Playing alongside him has helped me as well.” The team’s performance, as well as Farukh’s performance, went deteriorating day by day as the team was badly affected due to injuries.
After staying in Steel City for three seasons, he is ready to set for a move back to his hometown Mumbai to play for Mumbai City FC.