As the I-League 20-21 Season is fast approaching We’ll take a basic look at all teams one by one. Today we will take a look at the current Durand cup champion Gokulam Kerala FC or nicknamed Malabarians.
It is an Indian Football club based in Kozhikode, Kerala. The club was found in 2017. VC Praveen is the president of the club. The club first participated in the Hero I-League 2017-18 season. Although the debut season didn’t go well for the club, they defeated some of the top clubs like East Bengal, Mohun Bagan and Minerva Punjab. They earned the nickname Giant Killer of that season.
The second season was very poor for them as they ended as a second bottom team, just above Shillong Lajong to avoid relegation.
The last season went pretty well but was disrupted because of Covid-19 and they ended the season in the 5th position in the I-League table played only 15 matches. But they won the Durand cup by defeating Mohun Bagan in the final.
NOTABLE TRANSFERS MADE BY Gokulam Kerala FC:
The Snow Leopards have done some decent business ahead of the upcoming season this is evident after they became IFA Shield Champions.
They brought Saliou Guindo to bring more power in front of the goal. He had an amazing season in the Albanian league where he became the top scorer with 11 goals and 3 assists. They also added Dennis Antwi and Emil Benny to their attacking line-up.
They signed Mahip Adhikari as an addition to their midfield who has a pretty impressive season with Garwal FC with 4 assists. Afgan international S. Muhammad was also added to their squad in the last winter transfer window.
Gokulam FC added Mohammed Awal as another experienced center back in their squad, he had represented Ghana in the African Cup of Nation as well as in World cup qualifier. Vincy Barretto also joined as a promising youngster. Left-back Zodingliana Ralte joined the club to gear up the wing. He had played in ISL and I-League and has been a very versatile and regular player for the former clubs.
The Malbarian will miss two of their top scorers Marcus Joseph and Henry Kisekka in the upcoming season. Marcus was the main instrumental player behind their Durand Cup triumph. He scored in the final and was awarded Man of the match and golden boot for his record scoring goals in that campaign.
Gokulam Kerala FC FULL SQUAD:
Goal-Keepers:- Ubaid CK(Vice-Captain), Ajmal PA, Vigneshwaran Baskaran, Shayan Roy
Defenders:- H. Naocha Singh, M. Jasim, Sebastian Thangmuansang, Mohammed Awal, Sharif Mukhammad, Deepak Devrani, Rowilson Rodrigues, Alex Saji, Jestin George, Zodingliana Ralte, C. Singh, Muhammad Asif, Ashok Singh, Mohammed Salah, Ajin Tom
Mid-fielders:- M. I. Mayakkannan, Shibil Muhammed, Vincy Barretto, Rishad P, Mahip Adhikari, Falsu Rahman, Thahir Zaman, Mohammad Rashid, M. Mayakkannan
Forwards:- Jithin M. S, Lalromawia, Rahul KP, Emil Benny, Salman K, Philip Adjah, Ronald Singh, Dennis Antwi, Saliou Guindo, M. Meetei.
We will have our eyes on the names like Saliou Guindo.
Verdict: Midtable?
Although they have a good record against strong teams but struggled to be consistent. In the upcoming season, they will give tough competition to the other teams. They will end up in the midtable for the upcoming season.
