Evgeniy Kozlov, a wing forward who joined Mohammedan in India, helped his new team clinch the national title with a 2-1 victory over Shillong Lajong. He explained the reasons behind his move to the Indian league and what drew him to this club, highlighting the championship drive and the league’s competitive spirit.
“I didn’t receive a solid offer from Kazakhstan during the winter window, and then India came along. The club is pushing for the championship, and that urgency was exactly what motivated me. It’s a powerful incentive for any player to help a team achieve concrete results. I didn’t hesitate for long before deciding to join Mohammedan. There is a lot of misunderstanding about the Indian Championship. People often judge it from afar, relying on the internet for impressions, but the league has its own depth and quality. The championship is attractive and never falls behind the Kazakhstan league in terms of skill. There are many high-caliber players competing at a serious level here”, Kozlov stated. (Citation: contemporary football reporting)
Kozlov also noted that his decision was influenced by his role at Mohammedan under head coach Andrei Chernyshov. He emphasized that the Media Football League was not considered as a viable path to continued competition, given the marked difference in quality compared to professional football. Before joining Mohammedan, the winger had spent time with Kazakh club Atyrau. (Citation: regional football coverage)
Earlier, a move to Asia was reportedly discussed by the former RFU member, but he ultimately declined that opportunity. The decision demonstrates how a player weighs league prestige, coaching leadership, and competitive rhythm when choosing his next career step. (Citation: federation announcements)