What did Kerala Blasters' Mikael Stahre have to say about Sachin Suresh?

The goal custodian made a good return from injury, picking up where he left off.

Kerala Blasters FC will take the field against NorthEast United FC on Sunday in their first away match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati. 

In 2014, both teams started their professional football club journey from this stadium and now will face each other for the 20th time. The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM.

Mikael Stahre, head coach of Kerala Blasters FC, gave his opinion about the team’s goalkeeper, Sachin Suresh. In a question about the qualities of the young goalkeeper, he stated, “He’s (Sachin Suresh) good at saving the ball. Fast. Explosive. Aggressive. Calm and good.” 

Sachin Suresh’s debut season

The Kerala goalkeeper debuted in the previous season of the Indian Super League. He showcased his incredible talent, playing 15 matches in the competition, registering five clean sheets, 33 saves, and two penalty saves. 

However, after this impressive journey, being a top contender for the Emerging Player award, he sustained a shoulder injury in a match against Chennaiyin FC, on 16th February this year. This injury sidelined him from the senior team for a significant time. 

After his return to the starting lineup due to Som Kumar‘s injury in the Durand Cup, Suresh has reinstated himself as the first-choice goalkeeper for the Blasters. In the last two matches, the 23-year-old keeper has made four saves.

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Mikale Stahre on Sachin’s height

Sachin Suresh isn’t as towering compared to other goalkeepers, and in modern football managers usually prefer shot-stoppers taller than six feet. Mikael Stahre praised Sachin’s qualities between the sticks, as he commented, “I think he’s a really good one. I think he’s a really good goalkeeper. He’s a really good person. He’s really professional. Of course, you can see goalkeepers that are 195 [cm] and these kinds of things.”

“But for me, I think he is a good goalkeeper. If you are a little bit more compact, then you have other pros. He’s a good one. And that’s my answer,” he added.

Mikael Stahre concluded the conversation by saying, “I cannot help him with that. The goalkeeper coach and the coaches, we can help him a lot, but not with that issue. I don’t think he’s a small guy.”

Sachin Suresh’s journey with Kerala Blasters

Sachin’s journey with Kerala Blasters began in 2020 when he ascended from the reserve team in the Kerala Premier League to train alongside the senior squad. Despite initially serving as the second-choice goalkeeper, Sachin’s perseverance and dedication earned him opportunities to shine in prestigious tournaments such as the Premier League Next Gen Cup in the UK.

He gained experience with clubs like FC Kerala and Kerala Blasters B, making a noteworthy impact in his ascent to the senior team.

Following his commendable displays, in July 2023, Kerala Blasters extended Sachin’s contract until 2026, affirming their confidence in his abilities.

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