New Delhi, Nov 3: Gokulam Kerala FC, who created history by becoming the first team ever to clinch back-to-back I-League titles, are hungry to make it a hat-trick in the forthcoming 2022-23 season as the action returns to the traditional home-and-away format after a two-year wait.
After claiming the 2021-22 crown in fine fashion on the last day of the campaign, the new-look team will take the field in the upcoming season with a number of new players joining the club.
The Malabarians outfit will have Cameroonian Richard Towa taking over the managerial reins from Italian Vicenzo Alberto Annese, who led the club to the twin titles. The squad bears a fresh look with forwards Luka Majcen, Jourdain Fletcher, Jithin MS, midfielder Emil Benny, defenders Alex Saji and Muhammed Uvais, and goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar – all of whom played key roles in the team’s triumph last season – departing for other clubs.
Among the Indian players, the squad has seen the incoming of the likes of familiar names such as Arjun Jayaraj, Sreekuttan VS, Subha Ghosh, Saurabh Meher, and Bilal Khan. In the foreigners’ section, the club has roped in forwards Vladan Kordic and Auguste Somlaga, along with midfielders Everton Kaka and Juan Nellar. The Malabarians will play six of their home matches at the Payannad Stadium in Malappuram, while the other five will be played at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode.
Ahead of the start of the new season of the I-League, coach Richard Towa spoke on various issues related to the season and their club’s preparations for the challenge of completing a hat-trick.
“It’s been a great experience in India so far. To be honest, life is absolutely different from where I come from, that is Germany and Cameroon, and the culture is quite different too. This is a good experience for me as I try to learn more about this country.”
“Gokulam Kerala are the double defending champion and we are determined to defend this title. We are working hard for it and know that it will not be easy. Every team will fight hard to stop us from making it three in a row and it will be a difficult responsibility.
“We are preparing for it vigourously and everybody at the club knows in their minds that we are ready to win the championship and defend our title,” he added. (IANS)
