Vishal Kaith


Vishal Kaith is an Indian footballer, playing as goalkeeper for the Indian Super League club, Chennaiyin.

Youth years

Having come up through the state level ranks for Himachal Pradesh, he was recruited by the AIFF to play for the under-16 and under-19 national sides before joining the AIFF Elite Academy in 2011 to play under-19 national league, before being picked up by Shillong Lajong.

Club career

Shillong Lajong

Vishal Kaith joined Shillong Lajong after spending a year at the AIFF Elite Academy in 2014 and made his official debut in the second game of his teams' 2014-15 Indian Federation Cup against Salgaocar and was adjudged as the Man of the Match. Kaith would go on to obtain the Man of the Match award in his second first team appearance against Mohun Bagan

2014-15 season

Kaith made his senior I-League debut on 28 March 2015 against Sporting Goa but was sent off in the 2nd-half for a handball outside the box. He saved penalty which was taken by Sunil Chettri against Bengaluru FC in Federation Cup.

2015-16 season

Kaith showed good progress in pre-season for the new season and he became a pivotal part of the club and started all matches for Lajong in 2015-16 I-League season.

2016-17 season

Under the guidance of Thangboi Singto, Kaith became the first choice goalkeeper for Shillong Lajong in entire season. He started in all matches and kept half a dozen important clean sheets.

Pune City (loan)

On 25 May 2016, Indian Super League club Pune City signed Kaith on loan from Shillong Lajong for the third edition of league where he would be a squad 'keeper and would make no appearances during the season.

Chennaiyin

On August 31 2019, Vishal Kaith signed for Chennaiyin on a long-term permanent deal with the club after spending the previous three seasons at Pune City.

International career

Youth

Kaith was handed his India U19 debut on 4 October 2013 against Qatar U19 in 2014 AFC U-19 Championship Qualifiers. Kaith kept first clean sheet for India U19 against Nepal U19, in which India U19 defeated Nepal U19 by 1-0. In July 2017, Kaith represented India U23 in AFC U23 Championship Qualifiers which held in Qatar.

Senior

Kaith was called for India team camp before AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match against Kyrgyzstan on 13 June.

Style of play

Kaith is a talented, complete, aggressive, and often instinctive goalkeeper, who is recognised for his reflexes, prowess, and anticipation when coming off his line in one on one situations, as well as his confidence, goalkeeping technique, reactions, and ability to get to ground quickly to collect, parry, or even challenge for the ball with his feet; when playing in teams that rely upon high defensive lines, he has often functioned as a sweeper-keeper, frequently rushing out of his area to clear the ball or face opponents who have beaten the offside trap.

Career statistics