‘Striker’ Ameerudeen comes into his own

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For those who follow Chennai football ardently, H. Ameerudeen needs no introduction. The 19-year-old Thanjavur native was a pillar of strength to his team, SAI, during the just concluded CFA senior division league.

Playing as a lone forward, Ameer plundered nine goals from 11 matches including a blockbuster against ICF in the season finale and finished third on the scoring charts.

The tally is all the more impressive as it came in the striker’s only second season in Tamil Nadu’s top league.

Few players have left an indelible mark in the senior division in such a short period. Ameer’s rise is meteoric and his rich vein of form helped SAI avoid relegation.

SAI coach M. Narayanamoorthy, who knows the importance of Ameer’s contributions, heaped encomiums on his most prized asset. “He is a disciplined boy and the one trait I admire most in him is his grasping power. He has the hunger for goals. Ameer has improved beyond recognition over the course of the last two years,” the coach said.

Narayanamoorthy said Ameer’s willingness to give his all for the team makes him a standout. “The boy is a glutton for punishment. He likes putting in the hard yards and never once has he shied away from taking up the onerous task of being the single striker up front.

For a teenager, it is indeed a remarkable attribute to have. He has been a revelation for us and I am sure that if he continues to show the same level of commitment and dedication, bigger things lie in store for him,” he added.

The promising forward, who models his game on Wayne Rooney, has his sights firmly set on making the grade to the Indian national team. “The only ambition that I have in life is to don the national jersey. I will keep persevering until I fulfill my dream. I grew up idolising Rooney and I would like to follow in his footsteps by doing well for both my club and country,’’ he said.

Ameerudeen, who has taken the CFA by storm, is however not ready to bask in the glory of his past achievements. He is determined to make the most of whatever limited opportunities come his way from now till the start of the next CFA season. “I will try my best to make a mark in all the tournaments I take part in to ensure that my performances catch the eye of I-league clubs,’’ he said.

His coach expects a lot from the youngster. “Ameer has all the credentials to play in the I-League. Along with his team-mates Mijo Jose (midfielder) and Wayne D’ Silva (defender), he can graduate to the top league in the country seamlessly,” Narayanamoorthy said.

Ameer returned the compliment. “My coach has been a guiding light to me. He always encourages me to the hilt. He keeps patting me on the back even when I have an off-day and it’s only because of his moral support that I was able to deliver the goods this season,” he said.

A paucity of sure-shot strikers is one of the main reasons for Tamil Nadu’s poor performances in the Santosh Trophy in recent years. Ameer, who was on target against Customs and ICF in the league, could well be the answer to Tamil Nadu’s prayers.