NorthEast United FC endured a difficult campaign in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 season as they finished in the tenth position but goalkeeper Mirshad Michu is determined to help his team put up a much better performance in the upcoming edition.

The Highlanders had reached the semi-finals in Hero ISL 2020-21 season but failed to reach the same heights as injuries plagued their bid for a repeat.

Michu who played eleven matches for NorthEast United FC last season was one of the team’s better performers as he managed to earn a starting spot ahead of veteran Subhasish Roy Choudhary.

The 28-year-old now wants his team to put the disappointment of last season behind and start afresh.

“Our aim this season is to win the Championship. We are working very hard for that. Last season, due to injury problems we had a bad season. But this time we are quite sure regarding our success,” Michu told Sportskeeda.com in an interview.

Having played one match in the Hero ISL before being thrown in between the sticks at NorthEast United FC last season, Michu needed support to deliver top-level performances and found that in Roy Choudhary and head coach Khalid Jamil.

"Khalid sir helped me a lot. He provided me the chance to prove myself. Also, he motivated me a lot to give out my best on the field,” Michu said.

"Dada (Roy Choudhary) guided me a lot. He helped me to rectify my mistakes on the pitch. Also, he applauded me when I used to play well for my team. I am very much grateful to the team management for giving me a chance to play alongside him,” he added.

Michu was one of the top-performing goalkeepers in the Hero ISL last season and he made the most of the chance that had come to him after a long wait. He only made his debut in the league at the age of 26 but has since shown his quality.

Michu started out his sporting journey as a cricketer and used to keep wickets. He was quite acrobatic behind the stumps and was advised to take up goalkeeping. Once he put on the goalkeeping gloves, there was no looking back for Michu who went from strength to strength.

"Initially I used to play cricket. I was a wicketkeeper then. My acrobatic skills were noticed and soon I started playing football,” he said.

After a solid season in goal, the expectations will be much higher from Michu in the upcoming campaign but with him not shying away from aiming high, expect him to step to the plate just as he did last season.