Shankar targets ISL glory with Blasters

The second season of the lucrative Indian Super League (ISL) is around the corner and the teams are busy shaping up their squads for what is expected to be a gruelling 62 days of footballing action.

And one person who is eagerly awaiting for the start is the 20-year-old Kolar boy Shankar Sampingiraj.

“Yes, it’s going to be a long season, with back-to-back matches. But the team is ready and geared up for the challenge,” said Shankar, who will be seen in action for the Kerala Blasters. “We had a fruitful pre-season. Where the aim was to keep ourselves fit. The various training modules that we adopted have helped us in developing ourselves. So, I don’t think these many games in such less time could be a problem.”

Breaking into the national scene with his exploits for the local I-League club Bengaluru FC, Shankar has gone on to become a hot property in the Indian football market.

“It’s a good feeling,” he noted. “Great to know that I have done myself and people who supported me proud. When I initially walked into BFC, I was nothing. But today after playing alongside players like Sunil (Chhetri), John (Johnson) and others, I can say that I have come a long way. And the credit undoubtedly goes to Ashley (Westwood) who has put in a lot to make me the player I am today,” Shankar remaked.

Back after a his three-week long training stint with Unione Sportiva Cremonese, a third division Italian side, the BFC midfielder said that his exposure trip was a learning experience both on and off the pitch.

“I really enjoyed my time in Italy and I am thankful to my BFC family for sending me,” he said. “It was a part of my development and I learned a lot there by training with them. They train by attaching great importance to technique, like pressing and first touch. And with those guys playing a similar formation to that of BFC, I could learn more on where to be when, what position to be in and things like how to receive and distribute the ball. I am sure that these things will come in handy when the I-League begins.”

Shifting focus to the assignment, which is due in 10 days, Shankar said that his side still had the ammunition to destroy any defence even though one of their top performers from the opening season, Ian Hume had sailed his way through to Atletico de Kolkata.

“Yes he will be badly missed. But I don’t think that has stopped us from preparing for the season. New and young guys have come in. Something that was missing last season. I believe these young guys can drive the team towards its target.