'Sahal Abdul Samad is a source of pride for the younger generation of Indians,' claims India legend IM Vijayan | OneFootball

India legend, IM Vijayan has hailed the performance of Blue Tigers youngster, Sahal Abdul Samad who scored the winner against Afghanistan in their last-gasp 2-1 win on Saturday, 11 June - thereby helping his country virtually secure a spot in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup.

Samad is widely considered as one of the best young players in India and the 25-year-old showed just why he is so highly rated as he came off the bench to score during injury time in India's 2-1 win over the Afghans in a third-round qualifier for the Asian Cup in Kolkata.

Vijayan who himself is one of the greatest players to represent India believes that Sahal is a source of pride for the younger generation of Indians and Malayalees.

"Sahal is a source of pride for the younger generation of Indians and Malayalees. Sahal scored within seconds of entering the field at the most crucial moment. This is an example of a very good reflex action which is the most necessary thing in football. He is sure to rise in a way that will make Indian football proud," Vijayan who hails from Kerala said.

Sahal who has been called as the "Indian Ozil" due to his similarities with the former German playmaker has been earmarked as a future great of Indian football and it will be interesting to see how his career pans out in the future.