Magic’s custodian Kamaludheen steps up to next level

For many teams in the Super League Kerala (SLK), finding a way past Thrissur Magic FC goalkeeper A.K. Kamaludheen proved to be a tough task. He was beaten only six times and no team managed more than two goals against Magic in the tournament.

Apart from a solid backline, the towering presence of Kamaludheen was a sight which the rival strikers dreaded. With 28 saves and four clean sheets from nine matches, Kamaludheen won the Golden Glove award for the best goalkeeper in the tournament. He was one of the finds of the tournament and has a bright future ahead of him.

Kamaludheen’s anticipation and quicksilver reflexes saw him pull off some incredible saves which often kept his side alive in the contest. He had the highest number of saves in the SLK. The 21-year-old rated the double-reflex save in the semifinal against Malappuram FC as his best.

Kamaludheen’s performance impressed the Indian under-23 team coach Noushad Moosa who picked him for the friendlies against Thailand. In fact, he became the first player from SLK to be called up for national duty.

Kamaludheen said the Golden Glove award was a small consolation for him and he would have traded it for the SLK Trophy. “As a team we played incredibly well in the tournament. I had a good understanding with the defenders and we played well as a unit. The defence was our strength. We were a bit unlucky in the final (against Kannur Warriors). Personally I think the penalty was harsh. I was happy with my performance in the tournament but any day I would have traded the award for the trophy.

“SLK is the best thing to have happened to Kerala football. It was a good platform for young players like me. The matches were competitive and drew a good crowd. Football is alive and kicking in Kerala,’’ added Kamaludheen who nurtures hopes of playing for the senior Indian team soon.