Gokulam Kerala FC have started their preparations for their pre-season on 2nd August. The Kerala club would be participating in three tournaments for the upcoming season – AFC Cup, Durand Cup as well as the I-league.
The defending I-league champions are yet to announce their foreign signings. After the announcement, those players would join the training camp. Head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has also reported for the training preparations.
The league is expected to commence by December last week. Whereas, the players need to check in with respect to the club at most by December first week.
Gokulam Kerala FC have to defend two titles – Durand Cup and I-league
Gokulam Kerala won the final lap of the three-horse race alongside TRAU FC and Churchill Brothers last season to clinch their first-ever I-league trophy. However, the departures of many key players such as Ubaid CK and Vincy Baretto has been a major challenge.
The Malabarians have made an impact in the transfer window by signing Sudeva FC’s goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar. However, Durand Cup is going to start soon maybe in September as per the official statement released by the Kerala club’s website.
It won’t be an easy task to defend the title this time around as many ISL clubs might also play in the oldest tournament in India. All eyes would be on the Kerala derby (with ISL side Kerala Blasters) if it happens!
27 players have joined the training camp. Out of these eight players are the new ones, the other eight from the reserve teams and four foreigners would be joining shortly. Last season, pre-season was valuable preparation for their dream run winning Durand Cup and then the league.
Gokulam President VC Praveen said as follows,
“Like last year we wanted to give opportunity for our reserve team players this year also. We have included eight of them in the preseason camp. We believe with the right preparation and a good pre-season we can accomplish what we have done last year.”
Gokulam are the only side in India whose men’s, as well as women’s teams, will represent India in the major AFC competitions. The women’s team are keen on playing in the inaugural AFC Women’s Club Championship.
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