Sakeer dismayed at U-23 non-selection

Even as Viva Kerala celebrated their first goal and their first win in the ONGC I-League against Sporting Clube de Goa on Thursday, the players and the fans were left wondering how the brilliant MP Sakeer missed out on the national under-23 camp, to be held from November 15 at Goa.

The 22 year old Viva captain himself is a disappointed man. "I dream of  playing for the country," Sakeer said. "This is my last season as an under-23 player. A place in the under-23 squad would have given me an opportunity to go one step higher."

The playmaker has been in superb touch, splitting defences at will with his quick and incisive passing. Though Viva lost their first 3 matches, Sakeer had stood out dominating the midfield with his sublime sense of positioning and vision.

Sadly, the youngster failed to catch the eye of the men who mattered. The creative midfielder missed Viva's away game against Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan due to fever. Unfortunately, Sakeer will also miss the next home game, against East Bengal, on November 2 after picking up a second yellow card in the league against Sporting.

But the clubs that have seen Sakeer's prowess have wasted no time in playing their cards to net the gifted footballer. "I have been contacted by both Churchill Brothers and Chirag United," he said.

Sakeer had run the show from the middle of the park against both opponents leaving more experienced midfielders sulking in his shadow. Viva lost both games after wasting numerous opportunities as the opposition took advantage of what little openings came their way. Composed on the ball, Sakeer emerged as Kerala's best young player after guiding Viva Kerala through the successful second division national campaign last season, paving the way for the club's entry into the I-League. He also donned the Kerala jersey in the most recent edition of the Santosh Trophy.

Viva Kerala coach AM Sreedharan - who trained such accomplished internationals as IM Vijayan, CV Pappachan, U Sharaf Ali and the late VP Sathyan during their formative years with the Kerala Police team - has no doubt that the latest talent to have flourished in his care is cut out for bigger things.

"He is good enough to play for India," Sreedharan said emphatically. Perhaps, the disappointment of not making the grade as of now will drive him on to further improve his quality, which is so essentially required in the Indian team's central midfield.

Source: Krishnakumar KH, Express News Service

From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Saturday 31 October 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.