I-League: Minerva to take on Gokulam

KOZHIKODE: Gokulam Kerala FC take on reigning champions Minerva Punjab FC at the EMS Corporation stadium here on Sunday in what promises to be an enthralling encounter, with a win guaranteeing second place in the I-League standings.

Hosts Gokulam have collected five points so far from their four games and coach Bino George seems to have built a fighting unit with local players leading the charge and foreigners acting as a perfect foil.

They currently sit at fifth position and a win at home could propel them into sole second place in the standings.

They looked scrappy in their first draw at home against Mohun Bagan but ever since coming back against Neroca away from home, they have only looked better with every game.

They lost an exciting encounter to Chennai at home and then completely overwhelmed Shillong in continuation with the improvement shown.

What is even more heartening from an Indian fan’s perspective is that players like Rajesh, Suhair and Gani Nigam have shown an attacking bent of mind at all times, even when the team is behind in the game. Meanwhile, skipper Mudde Musa is undergoing suspension and it will continue for two more matches following the marching orders that he received against Chennai. Coach Bino was brimming with confidence before the game saying: “We got back to the winning mode in the last match at home and played with full confidence. We will play the same way tomorrow. IANS