Those who watched Zahid Hassan Emily score a sublime equaliser for Bangladesh against India in a group match of the SAFF Football Championship in Karachi in December 2005 could never doubt in the young footballer's skill.

He was not even the mainstream striker of the country then, playing in the shadows of Alfaz Ahmed and others, but the talented 21-year-old came of age in the recently concluded B. League by notching the best player's award.

"It is an honour for me to be voted the best player of the country's inaugural professional football league. Having won the title with Abahani and getting reward as an individual, I think it is my best achievement," Emily told this correspondent yesterday.

The goal that gave Bangladesh's second string side a 1-1 draw against India might have been dubbed as a fluke but spectacular goals have become a trademark of Emily.

While playing for Brothers, he battled his way to earn a first team place and outfoxed country's number one goalkeeper Aminul with a stunner and also, struck an equally beautiful goal in an AFC Cup home match against India's Mahendra United.

The Barisal lad's start to the professional league, however, was as tough as it could have been.

Despite being Abahani's top striker, he failed to deliver and ended the ten matches of the first

leg with just two goals, both scored in one match against Farashganj.

Having fired blank in the first five games during when he was not even used in the second match against Chittagong Mohammedan, Emily was not in the good book of Argentine coach Diego Cruciani, who preferred an adventurous 4-3-3 line-up.

Emily was substituted often before he hit the mark for the first time in the sky-blue shirt, the brace against Farashganj.

"I took pressure on myself. When I joined Abahani, they told me I was going to be the main forward. There was pressure of the fans and the burden of expectation. Everyone wanted me to score in every match," said Emily, who finished the league with a dozen goals that made him the best performer among locals and overall third highest scorer, behind Nigerian duo Elijah Junior and Paul Mwach Ukwu.

"The first goal of that match is my best in the competition," opined Emily, who is now at the national camp in BKSP. Emily, one of the very few to inherit the prestigious No. 10 shirt used by club and country legend Salahuddin, took a pass from Ujjal to unleash a right-footed volley from 40 yards into the top left corner.

Emily also blames Cruciani's system for not having his freedom as the centre forward.

"With three players up front, I played at flanks which I do not like. I believe when the team switched to 4-4-2, I was in my perfect position.

"I admit that my finishing early in the league was poor. It is difficult for a striker to maintain form and I was really suffering. I missed sitters and struggled on one-on-one situations."

Emily was not picked by Amalesh Sen, who took over from Cruciani after nine matches, in the starting lineup of the first two games of the second leg but he came as substitutes and saw a goal

what could have been the match winner against Mohammedan ruled out.

He took off from the next match with a four-goal burst against Rahmatganj that brought back his confidence. He went on to score in all but two remaining matches to spearhead Abahani's campaign to put an end to trophy-less six years.

Not only getting behind the rival backline timely, he was also getting behind the ball now and again.

Emily said he loves running and winning possession for teammates. He also said his lack of height inspires him for more hard work.

"I was free of pressure and full of confidence in the latter stages. My finishing got better and I was fighting every inch for possession. I enjoyed it," said Emily, who has been working individually to enhance his performance.

"I have a gym at home and use

instruments whenever I get them. I am working on my shooting. I have to add more power and be perfect. In football, you always learn. I have to be consistent."

When asked, he said he did not think he was the best striker of current time.

"It's a matter for other people to judge. But my target is to become not only the country's number one striker but also the top footballer."

Emily, who has three goals in the AFC Cup, said he wanted to get back to the Asian club competition with Abahani this season and wished he could impress in the other international meets.

"We have many international tournaments this year including SAFF Championship. This is a great chance for me to flourish. I think my goal against India is my best so far and I want to be better than that."