Rakesh Singh's goals power KICKSTART FC’s title charge

Bengaluru: With 18 goals in the KSFA Super Division and playing a vital role in a team leading the race to the finish, Manipuri striker Rakesh Singh of Kick start FC has been instrumental in their title push. Now, with four games to go, every match carries the weight of a final.

“Four matches left but our job is not done. We’re not taking it easy. Every single match is a reward. Suppose we lose or draw, we’ll be in danger. We’ll give everything and try to win every match,” said Singh. Having finished runners-up for the past three years, the team is now determined to cross the line and make history for the club — a sentiment that fans of Premier League side Arsenal can easily relate to.

When asked about the parallel, Coach Raghu laughed, saying it’s all about consistency and performance, much like Arsenal, but added that he wouldn’t jinx his team by making comparisons. “This time we’re a little more careful. That’s what we discussed with the players from the start.

There are four crucial matches ahead, so we’re taking them one at a time. No need to overthink and put pressure on the players — they’re playing well,” said Coach Raghu. For the coach, Singh is among the players he can rely on.

“He stays composed and calm, even if he misses chances. We always believe he’ll score. His finishing quality is one of his main strengths. He’s doing very well this season — he really wants to prove himself, and that moti vates the team,” Raghu said.

While Singh’s primary job as a striker is to score goals — some thing he does with consistency — he also enjoys bringing others into play, much like his idol, Lionel Messi. “When I watch Messi play, if he can’t score, he makes sure his teammate does. His focus is always on creating or finishing a goal,” said Singh.

Coming from a humble background as the son of a farmer, Singh wasn’t initially encouraged to follow his passion. But his father, a football enthusiast and player himself, relented and sent him to an academy where he trained as hard as he studied.

Today, his father serves as a mentor, offering him advice on positioning and movement. “He tells me to jump with the defenders and not make things easy for them,” Singh added with a smile. While naturally athletic and disciplined about fitness, Singh places particular emphasis on ball control.

“Sometimes I focus more on controlling the ball because if the first touch is good, then everything is good. One touch play is also very important. In practice, I always try. Without working hard, how can we be good at it?” he asked rhetorically.

Consistency has been the cornerstone of the club’s success this season, and for Singh that consistency comes from keeping his mind and body well fed, trained, and rested — ready for matches that are coming thick and fast, just like in his Kolkata league days.

“In India, the Bengaluru league is very good. Everyone knows the Kolkata league is tough, but Bengaluru also has many strong teams. Playing more matches gives us confidence. Many players from here have gone to play in the second or third divisions and adapted easily,” he said.

Though Singh dreams of sharpening his skills further and eventually playing in higher divisions — perhaps even representing India one day — his current focus remains firmly on giving everything to help Kick start FC lift a historic domestic trophy.