Hyderabad FC captain Alex Saji speaks to media ahead of #HFCKBFC
Indian Super League action returns to the Maidaan on Wednesday, for one last time this season.
Hyderabad FC take on the travelling Kerala Blasters in the last league game of the 2024-25 ISL campaign.
The Nawabs will be focused and determined to end the campaign on a high.
Ahead of the game, Interim Coach Shameel Chembakath was joined by club captain Alex Saji, addressing the media in the pre-match press conference.
Here’s what the defender had to say…
On bouncing back after recent results…
From the start of the season, our aim has been to win every game and, in every game, we are determined to give our 100%. But the last game was a disappointing performance and I think we did not deserve any points.
But we are not a team that will give up. We showed that we can play some good football and beat stronger teams in the competition. And we hope to put in a good performance in this game as well, and give the fans something to be proud of and remember us by.
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On the team’s progress this season…
All the youngsters at the club are currently learning and improving as professional footballers. We as individuals, try to improve with every game.
The coaches also keep telling us that we need to stick together in difficult situations. We know we have to give our best and we will try to do the same, in front of our fans, tomorrow.
On the competition in the ISL…
Compared the last season, the ISL has been very competitive so far this season. Teams from the bottom of the table can beat the best teams on their day and every result like this gives us a boost.
We are taking one game at a time and it is all about showing that you have improved from the last game.
On the upcoming clash against KBFC…
Blasters, on their day, are one of the strongest teams in the competition and are unlucky to miss out on a place in the top 6. But, every team in the ISL is pretty strong and we go into evert game with different sets of challenges. This game will be no different and we know we have to work really hard to win this game.
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On his relationship with Coach Shameel Chembakath…
Coach Shameel knows me really well. He knows everything about me, my qualities, my strengths and weaknesses and everything. I have learnt a lot from him and he is quick to help me improve whenever I make a mistake.
The Coach has always been there for me but not just him, everyone at the club has been really close to me since I joined Hyderabad.
I have been here for three years but I am still a young player, who is still learning and I hope I can be a better player come the next season.
Message to the fans…
It being the final game of the season, the fans will be expecting something good from us. This game, we play for them and I promise that we will give our best to make them proud.
Alex Saji 
