Gokulam building for big things
Gokulam Kerala were late entrants into the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup, arriving at the port city on the eve of their opening match against Bangladesh Premier League champions Bashundhara Kings.
But the Durand Cup winners have proven that they came here well prepared to add to their trophy-haul in their first-ever international assignment.
Coach Fernando Santiago Valera, after his team confirmed their semifinal berth with a comfortable 2-0 victory over I-League champions Chennai City yesterday, said that they were building on Durand Cup success.
“After the Durand Cup in August, we played four matches against ISL teams. Even before coming here we played against some strong teams. So we came prepared from India,” the Spaniard told reporters during the post-match press conference.
Established in 2017, the Kerala-based outfit won a few trophies in the state in their first two years, but finished seventh and ninth respectively in the I-League. Since the appointment of Valera however, the club has seen a steady rise, making wholesale changes by retaining only eight players. The team recruited a prolific Trinidadian striker, Marcus Joseph, and brought back Henry Kisekke from Mohun Bagan. The squad was further bolstered in the pre-season by the signing of Trinidadian playmaker Nathaniel Garcia, who set up both goals in yesterday’s match.
These acquisitions have made Gokulam Kerala a dominant force in Indian football, with Kisekka already having scored three goals in this tournament while Garcia got one goal and three assists. Playing the first two matches without inspirational captain Joseph, Gokulam Kerala cruised to a 3-1 win over Bashundhara Kings before playing out a goalless draw with Terengganu FC. The coach gave Joseph some game-time in the second half of yesterday’s game, keeping him fresh for the later challenges.
“Joseph is the best player we have. But he only returned from national duty the day before yesterday. So we need to take care of him and make sure he does not get injured,” said Valera.
The Trinidadian centre-forward was not at his best yesterday but he is a proven goal-poacher, having scored 11 goals in the Durand Cup. Even without his best, the team is playing like champions, thanks to the services of Kisekka and Garcia. If Joseph gets rid of the rust in the next match, Gokulam’s semifinal opponents could be in big trouble.