As Kerala Blasters gear up for their crucial match against East Bengal, Moroccan forward Noah Sadaoui shared his thoughts in an exclusive interview. Sadaoui has contributed 12 goals this season (7 goals, 5 assists) and is just two away from becoming the third-highest contributor in a single season for the team. With three years of experience in the Indian Super League (ISL), Sadaoui reflected on the league’s growth, his team’s current form, and his personal goals for the season.
ISL’s Evolution: A Competitive Battleground
Having been part of the ISL for three seasons, Sadaoui highlighted the league’s increasing competitiveness. “I think, in the league, it is getting more difficult to win games,” he said. “Every team is competitive and has the ambition to make it to the playoffs. I noticed that younger foreigners are coming in more, and that will help the level go up.” This evolution, he believes, is a positive sign for Indian football.
Lessons from Morocco for Indian Football
When asked about what India could learn from Morocco’s football revolution, Sadaoui emphasised the importance of youth development. “I feel India should really focus on young kids’ development, on understanding the game,” he said. “As the league grows, it will attract more kids who want to play football and make it their career. This will lead to kids playing at a young age everywhere and anywhere they can, which will also help the technical aspect of their game.” Reflecting on his own experience, Sadaoui added, “The days I used to play the whole day in the streets in Morocco really developed me into who I am today.”
Playoff Ambitions and Giving His All
Sadaoui expressed optimism about the Blasters’ chances of making the playoffs. “I am very positive about us making it to the playoffs,” he said. “We are at a big club, and this is the bare minimum. We have to look for bigger things, which is to win trophies. I always give my best to help the team reach its goals.”
Improvement Under the Interim Coach
The Blasters have shown signs of resurgence under TG Purushothaman, their interim coach, and Sadaoui attributes this to better training and commitment. “I personally think the team is training better, players are more committed, and doing the basics right,” he said. “That can only lead to great things in the near future.”
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Facing East Bengal: A Personal Challenge
Kerala’s next test is against East Bengal, a team against which Sadaoui has a stellar record, with two goals and two assists in previous encounters. “I am very excited to play this game,” he said. “I treat every game the same, wanting to go out there, work hard, and try to help the team as much as I can. My goal is to score or assist my teammates, whether it’s for them to score, or defensively.”
The VYBK Advantage
The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK) Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for the Moroccan forward. Sadaoui has scored 3 goals at this very ground. “I have always played good games at VYBK,” he said. “It’s a big pitch, has a good amount of fans, and it suits my game.”
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