Bangladesh had taken an early lead and India had to attend till the 88th minute to seek out the equaliser through Khan off a corner taken by Brandon Fernandes at the long-lasting Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 15, 2019.
It was a goal Adil Khan will always remember , a last-gasp thumping header to draw parity against Bangladesh during a World Cup qualifier match in Kolkata in 2019, and therefore the India defender says the roar from the gang that day will stick with him forever.
Bangladesh had taken an early lead and India had to attend till the 88th minute to seek out the equaliser through Khan off a corner taken by Brandon Fernandes at the long-lasting Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on October 15, 2019.
"Brandon, as usual, was spot on. I somehow managed to leap and connect with the ball properly, and it generated the facility and therefore the angle required," Khan said in an AIFF release before India's second leg match against an equivalent opponents here on Monday.
"I saw internet bulging and heard the roar - some 70,000 people were relieved, cheering my goal, for my country. Life is certainly made from such moments. I went blind, I went deaf. That roar will stick with me forever."
The capacity crowd went berserk after Khan's equaliser. they might have gone disappointed had India lost that match as that they had come from far-off places to observe the sport .
"Expectations were sky-high in Kolkata as we took on Bangladesh at the VYBK after holding Asian champions Qatar in their own den. Tickets for the match were sold out every week back.
"As we approached the YBK on the day, I could see hordes of fans heading for the cauldron. They (crowd) had come from distant corners to observe us, they sacrificed other priorities to observe me. I needed to pay them back."
He said that match will always remain a "hallmark" in his life.
"I had fought my way back to the National team after a spell of injuries that had kept me out of football for long. i used to be so motivated."
The 32-year-old Khan said he played the match despite knowing that his father was being operated that day.
"My build-up hit a roadblock. As a part of my upbringing, I always call up my dad before any match. That day once I called, my mom picked up and informed me that my dad was hospitalised and was to undergo operation an equivalent day.
"I was on the team bus on the thanks to the stadium. Honestly, i used to be a touch devastated. My dad has been the most important football fan and my inspiration. I felt helpless.," he said.
He acknowledged after the match that his father's surgery was successful.
"When I met my dad I told him about my goal for India. He had never missed any match since my academy days wherein he wont to travel long distances to observe me play.
"I felt pleased with not letting him down, and clearly , he was pleased with his son making a mark for the country. Life is formed of such moments."
