Kerala Blasters goalie Sachin Suresh reveals his role model's name

Sachin Suresh also spoke about the experience of playing under Ivan Vukomanovic and his bond with Rahul KP.

Kerala Blasters FC have been one of the best teams in the ISL this season. They have put up a strong show so far and have been very successful despite all the ups and downs.

They are currently placed second on the points table and have 20 points to their name. A major reason behind their success is local lad Sachin Suresh who has put in mind blowing performances under the sticks. He has made the position his very own and it looks like there’s no stopping him.

Sachin spoke to the ISL Media in an exclusive interview and shared his thoughts. Here are the excerpts:

Early Days

Speaking about how he began his football career, the goalkeeper said that his father always wanted him to be a footballer since his birth.

“My father wanted me to be a football player since I was born. I was given a ball at a young age. He started making me dive inside the house from the age of five. Then I joined SEPT, Sports and Education Promotion Trust in Kozhikode, an academy at the age of seven.”

He also added that he met Argentine legend Diego Maradona during a U-10 tournament in Dubai.

“My father was my coach there. I trained well there. They took their best players to Dubai for the Under-10 tournament. We played against good teams in Dubai. There we met Maradona and took photos with him. This is how I started,” he stated.

Becoming a goalkeeper

When asked about why he chose to become a goalkeeper, Sachin said that his father was the reason behind him becoming a shot-stopper.

“My father was behind the decision. Goalkeeping has been my focus since the beginning. It was the same when I joined the academy. My inspiration was also my father even though I have never seen my father play in person.”

He also mentioned how his family supported him.

“By the time I was born, he had stopped playing due to a shoulder problem. My family supported me. Everyone wanted me to do well. They believed that my father would train me well and bring me up.”

Joining Kerala Blasters FC

Sachin Suresh was asked about how he joined Kerala Blasters FC. He replied and said, “I mentioned SEPT (Sports and Education Promotion Trust). I studied from ninth class to twelve in their main centre at Farooq, Kozhikode. After that, I joined a team called FC Kerala in Thrissur. Our coach there was Mr Purushothaman, the current assistant coach of Kerala Blasters. I trained under him. I played in the second division there and also played in the Kerala Premier League.”

He also added, “That’s when I got the call from Blasters. I joined the reserve team in the first bio-bubble season (ISL 2020-21). That’s how I became a part of Kerala Blasters FC. The following year I was promoted from the reserve team to the senior team. This is my fourth year with Kerala Blasters FC, including a stint in the reserve team.”

Performance so far this season

Sharing his thoughts on his performances so far this season, the goalkeeper said that he had problems during the pre-season as he couldn’t perform well, but his coaching staff supported him.

“Initially, there were problems in the pre-season. I couldn’t perform well at that time. Maybe that’s why the fans got tense and because goalkeeping is a very important position, they started criticising me. But my goalkeeping coach Slavan (Progovecki), head coach Ivan (Vukomanovic), and all other coaching staff gave all the support they could.”

Sachin added that due to the coaching staff’s support he is able to perform well.

“They trained me well and I was able to play well in Dubai. I am happy with my current performance. My family is very happy. My detractors are now supporting me. I am also very happy. Being a Malayali, I am now able to perform well for our own team,” he asserted.

Debut for Kerala Blasters

Sachin Suresh made his debut for Kerala Blasters in their season opener against Bengaluru FC. Speaking about the same, he said that it was a dream come true for him.

“It was my dream. It was a dream come true moment when I heard that I was going to play the next match, the first match for Kerala Blasters FC in our stadium, Kochi, in ISL. So, I was so happy to hear that and it was a great moment for me.”

He said that his family was very happy after he told them that he would play for the Blasters.

“I talked to my family, I told them that I’m going to play the next match. So they were also so happy. And my friends, everyone, they told me to just keep going, just play like I always do, to not take pressure, just play my (best) and do my best. And they were also so proud,” he quipped.

Changes in life

When asked about what has changed in his life ever since he made his debut for the Blasters, Sachin said that going out has become difficult for him as people recognise him now.

“It’s different. After the last two games, it was difficult to go out because people have started recognising me. Private life is difficult right now with family. I understand, I know that situation because Rahul KP is my friend, so I know he had those situations before. He can’t go out.

He also mentioned, “There are some problems, but sometimes we have to enjoy that. Just keep going. It’s all because of our hard work. So we’ll keep pushing and we’ll do our best.”

Playing with Rahul KP

Sachin Suresh has grown up with his teammate Rahul KP. Speaking about his thoughts on playing with Rahul, he said that both of them have played together since they were nine years old.

“We have been together since I was nine. We were together in an academy. So we have grown up together and we were together. We played for district teams. We played for state teams together.”

The 22-year-old also added how Rahul KP motivates and pushes him to do better.

“After that, he went for the national team for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. And all at that time we got separated and after that, we got together in KBFC. He just keeps motivating me. He told me that I have to play for the national team and I could get there one day. He pushes me a lot,” he replied.

Role Model

Seaking about his role model, the goalkeeper disclosed that he is a fan of German international Marc Andre Ter Stegen and how he idolises him.

“I’m a fan of (Marc Andre) Ter Stegen, the goalkeeper of FC Barcelona. You can scroll down to my Instagram account and there will be a photo of him just saving from a one-on-one situation. The caption is ‘My idol’ like that. So, I am a long-term follower of him. I like the technique he uses with his legs in one-on-one situations. I like his way of playing and I am trying to adapt to it a lot. He’s my idol,” he added. 

Playing under Ivan Vukomanovic

The young prodigy also revealed how it is to play under Ivan Vukomanovic. He said that the Serbian head coach always gives technical input and pushes the players to do better.

“He (Vukomanovic) gives us technical input. He shows us how to do it. In between the games, he tells us what to do and where to be to the players and also emotionally, in training, he pushes us a lot. The thing he always says is that, ‘I don’t mind if you miss the ball. The thing I mind is what’s your reaction after missing the ball?’ That’s the thing he always says,” he quipped.

Sharing the same name as Sachin Tendulkar

The goalkeeper shares his first name with the great Sachin Tendulkar who is also known as the God of Cricket and is a former Kerala Blasters FC co-owner. Speaking about the same, he said that it is a great feeling to hear his name being chanted by the fans.

“Yeah. It’s a great feeling. You know, he’s like the God of the nation in cricket. I’m so happy to hear my name like that compared to Sachin Tendulkar. It’s not a comparison, but I’m so happy to hear my supporters chanting like, ‘Sachin, Sachin.’ It gives me more motivation and more power,” he signed off.

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