Kozhikode, Dec 8 (IBNS): Neroca FC and Gokulam Kerala FC are eyeing to register their first win in the Hero I-League 2017-18 while they meet at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday.
Neroca FC, the Second Division League champions from Manipur, started their campaign with a defeat against Minerva Punjab while Gokulam lost their opening away match against Shillong Lajong and drew against Chennai City FC at home.
Gokualm is likely to introduce more Indian players as most of their foreigners are not fit. Their Syrian midfielder Khaled Al-Saleh would be the player to watch out. Kerala player Irshad, who missed their first home match, would return to the matchday squad.
“This is our second home match and we should win it. Three points are a must from this match. The players are confident and they have assured that they would grab all the points,” said Bino George, the coach of the Gokulam FC.
“I watched their opening match and though they lost, they played really well. They are a well-prepared side. I think it would be a good match,” he said.
Gift Raikhan, the coach of Neroca FC, said that the match would be a clash of different styles. “We play in a different style. We have not clinched any points so far and the match is a crucial one for us. Every point is counted. Our side is a good one and we have worked on our mistakes from the first match. This would be a good encounter,” he said.
“This is the first time we are in the I-League and this is a big moment for club and players. So hopefully we will open our account tomorrow,” he said.
Their Nigerian forward Felix Chidi is the man to watch out. The striker scored their only goal in the previous match and was also the top-scorer in the Second Division League with nine goals.
The main strength of the team is that they have retained most of their players, who have helped them to win the I-League second division. Their attacking lineup is strong and their defence is manned by Indian international Gouramangi Singh.
The match is slated to kick-off at 02:00 PM and it’ll be telecast live on Star Sports 2, HD 2 and streamed live on Hotstar, Jio TV.
Imge: I League website
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
