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With just a few games left in the Indian Super League season, all eyes are on Jamshedpur FC to try and end the season on a high and get as far up the league table as possible.
And if there’s anyone who knows how to get as far up as possible in the literal sense, it’s the team’s giant of a striker, Harry Sawyer.
Sawyer joined the Men of Steel last summer after being scouted from his native Australia, and the man from down under has quietly become an integral part of the squad despite some poor results for his side.
Sawyer came to Jamshedpur with some serious pedigree. The 6 foot 5 inch forward was banging in the goals across Australia, playing for teams such as Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets in his early years before shifting base to the Philippines with Davao Aguilas.
A successful stint in Southeast Asia earned the Aussie a ticket back to his homeland, where he really came into his own, scoring 24 goals in 41 matches for South Melbourne and averaging nearly a goal a game during his 19-game loan stint at Gold Coast Knights.
A move to Jamshedpur FC seemed like the perfect launchpad for the soft-spoken giant, but he would be the first to admit that things haven’t panned out exactly how he would have wanted.
Despite some ups and downs in form, the focus remains at an all-time high for Harry, who trains exactly how he plays – full of fire and determination.
A goal against East Bengal FC in Kolkata recently was just due to the amount of effort the 26-year-old has been putting in, and with a few games to go in the season, his eyes are clearly on scoring more goals.
Harry’s tall and athletic frame is ideal for set pieces and long balls, and he appears to be doing that task very well, winning first balls and setting up his teammates for opportunities on goal.
Perhaps that level of unselfishness has resulted in fewer goals than fans would have wanted, but his good work hasn’t gone unnoticed. Head coach Aidy Boothroyd has been clear in his assessment of the Australian, mentioning how a lot of his work other than goals gets overlooked because he’s a striker, but remains equally important to the team in the larger scheme of things.
With talented forwards such as Daniel Chima Chukwu and Ishan Pandita already in the squad, getting a first-team place was never going to be easy, but Sawyer’s work ethic and willingness to occupy various positions for the benefit of the team make him an ideal fit in this rapidly improving Jamshedpur FC outfit.
