Sivasakthi says Durand Cup final goal kick-started senior career

CHENNAI: Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson pulled a rabbit out of the hat while naming his starting line-up for the Durand Cup 2022 final against Mumbai City FC in Kolkata last week. Impressed by eager beaver N Sivasakthi’s cameos in the run-up to the summit contest – he scored four goals in five substitute appearances – the Englishman drafted in the 21-year-old to form a three-pronged attack that also included top dogs Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna. Such was the Tamil Nadu youngster’s marauding form that Grayson could not resist starting the ‘CSK’ (Chhetri-Sivasakthi-Krishna) strike force in a match of such magnitude. In his first start for the BFC senior team, Sivasakthi, a vibrant forward who is as fast as a cheetah, did not look like a fish out of water. He, in fact, exhibited his predatory instincts as early as the 11th minute to deliver a piece of art, which would eventually help Bengaluru clinch the title. “The goal kick-started my senior career,” Sivasakthi, who burst onto the scene two years ago, told DT Next in a virtual conversation. He also spoke at length about the unconditional support he receives from his BFC teammates, the evolution of his game and his goals for the forthcoming Indian Super League 2022-23 season.

EXCERPTS

On scoring the opening goal in the Durand Cup final

■ I made my first start for the Bengaluru FC senior team in that match. Making the first start in such a big match is a huge thing. I was delighted to contribute to the team’s success. It was a really important goal. The goal has given me a positive feeling that I would get chances (playing time) in the Indian Super League. The goal kick-started my senior career.

On whether he expected to start in the title decider

■ No, I did not. But, I knew that I would get a chance to play. I thought that I would play for about 10 minutes as a substitute. The head coach (Simon Grayson) put his trust in me, so I was keen to make the most of the opportunity. I was given the opportunity to play an important match alongside a lot of senior players, so I was hungry to win the Cup.

On the plaudits he received after his stupendous show (Sunil Chhetri called him ‘superstar’ while Alan Costa referred to him as ‘golden boy’)

■ I am extremely happy that they are speaking highly of me. They have played at the highest level. Their words motivate me to do better. I am a Chhetri fan. Playing alongside him in itself makes me happy. When a legend says such a thing… I cannot forget that moment.

On his special relationship with Chhetri

■ Whenever I score a goal, he is among the happiest in our team. Deep inside, I think ‘whenever I score a goal, he becomes pretty happy.’ He always comes up to me and asks if I need any help. It is such a big thing. The other senior players in the squad, coaches and staff also motivate me. When you are in a team like this, there is no pressure.

On playing with veteran strikers Chhetri and Roy Krishna

■ Both of them are legends. They always encourage and motivate me, because I am a youngster. Be it in training or matches, they take care of me. They help me play well. Krishna knows a few Tamil words and calls me ‘thambi’.

On learning from the duo

■ At the beginning of my BFC career, I used to take two touches whenever the ball arrived in the 18-yard box. The senior players usually finish a move with a first-time shot.

After watching them, I tried to replicate it. I then began scoring goals by hitting the ball first-time. Earlier, my positional awareness was not great. Chhetri and Krishna taught me when to wait for the ball in the box. By training with them on a daily basis, I learnt how to position myself.

On working under Grayson

■ During my first match in this year’s Durand Cup (against Indian Air Force), assistant coach Naushad Moosa told me: “You will improve your chances of playing in the next game if you score.” I managed to score. Throughout the tournament, I made the most of the opportunities that I got as a substitute, so Simon believed that I could deliver. I gave him the confidence that I would do something good whenever called upon.

On how his game has evolved in the last two years

■ It has improved by leaps and bounds. I have also improved my speed. Only because of my speed was I able to score a goal in the Durand Cup final. I share the dressing room with many senior players, so I learn something every day. In all the tournaments that I have played thus far [for Bengaluru], I have shown what I can do on the field. I did well in the Durand Cup, but I should not rest on past laurels. I need to perform well in the ISL.

On his targets for the upcoming ISL season

■ I will look to prove myself whenever I get opportunities. I want to do what I did in the Durand Cup. I have neither started nor scored a goal in the ISL (he played for only 60 minutes across seven matches in his debut season in 202122). I am confident that I will get more minutes to play, when compared to last season. I am under no pressure. If I succumb to some kind of pressure, I will not be able to make the most of the opportunities I get.