Michael Soosairaj

Michael Soosairaj
Personal information
Full name Michael Soosairaj
Date of birth (1994-10-30) 30 October 1994
Place of birth Eraviputhenthurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Jamshedpur FC
Number 23
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Arrows
2016-18 Chennai City 31 (5)
2018– Jamshedpur 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:06, 7 October 2018 (UTC)

Michael Soosairaj is an Indian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League.

Career

Early career and Chennai City

Born in EraviPuthenthurai, Tamil Nadu, Soosairaj first moved to Chennai when he attended Madras Christian College.[1] He would represent the school in Inter-University tournaments before joining Arrows Football Club of the CFA Senior Division.[1] After spending time with Arrows, Soosairaj joined another CFA Senior Division side, Chennai City.[1] While playing state level football, Soosairaj was also part of two Tamil Nadu Santosh Trophy sides.[2]

In December 2016, Chennai City were announced as a direct-entry side into the I-League, India's top tier football league.[3] On 17 January 2017, Soosairaj made his professional debut in the I-League for Chennai City against DSK Shivajians. He came on as a 61st-minute substitute for Malsawmfela despite Chennai City losing 2–0.[4]

On 8 April 2018, Soosairaj scored his first professional goal in the league against Minerva Punjab. His 41st-minute goal was the first in a 2–0 victory.[5] He then scored his second goal of the season a few weeks later on 22 April against Churchill Brothers. This time, Soosairaj scored Chennai City's only goal in the 54th minute as they lost 5–1.[6] The next season, Soosairaj scored his first brace, scoring twice against Churchill Brothers on 17 February 2018. His two goals contributed to a 3–1 victory for Chennai City.[7] He then scored his third goal of the season a couple weeks later on 2 March against Minerva Punjab. His 5th-minute goal was the first in a 2–1 victory for Chennai City.[8]

After the 2017–18 season, Soosairaj was named the league's best midfielder by the All India Football Federation.[9]

Jamshedpur

On 9 March 2018, it was announced that Soosairaj had signed for Jamshedpur of the Indian Super League.[10]

Career statistics

As of 13 April 2018[11]
Club Season League Cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chennai City 2016–17 I-League112————112
2017–18 I-League18320——203
Total 2952000315
Jamshedpur 2018–19 ISL00000000
Career total 2952000315

References

  1. 1 2 3 Prasad, Vishnu (21 March 2018). "Michael learns to rock". New Indian Express. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "TN squad for Santosh Trophy named". The Hindu. 25 February 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Chennai City FC, Minerva Punjab FC Get Direct Entry Into I-League". News18. 11 December 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Shivajians 2-0 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  5. ↑ "Minerva Punjab 0-2 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  6. ↑ "Churchill Brothers 5-1 Chennai City". Soccerway.
  7. ↑ "Chennai City 3-1 Churchill Brothers". Soccerway.
  8. ↑ "Chennai City 2-1 Minerva Punjab". Soccerway.
  9. ↑ "Minerva Punjab presented with winners' trophy; NEROCA's Gift Raikhan named season's best coach". FirstPost. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
  10. ↑ "Michael Soosairaj signs for Jamshedpur". Jamshedpur FC (Twitter).
  11. ↑ Michael Soosairaj at Soccerway
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