Football

The Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala, witnessed a resurgence of the city's footballing passion on Sunday as Calicut FC emerged victorious in the inaugural edition of the Super League Kerala. The stadium, once a hub of footballing excellence, was brimming with 36,000 enthusiastic fans who witnessed a thrilling final between Calicut FC and Forca Kochi.The match began with a swift move down the left flank by Calicut FC's John Kennedy. The Brazilian winger charged into the box and delivered a superb pass to Thoi Singh, who slotted the ball home in the 15th minute. The goal ignited the crowd and set the tone for an exciting match.The second half saw Calicut FC extend their lead through a free-kick. Kervens Belfort, the Haitian striker, chested down the ball and slammed it into the net, giving Forca Kochi goalkeeper no chance. The goal virtually sealed the victory for Calicut FC, who had dominated the match throughout.Forca Kochi managed to pull one back in injury time through Dorielton, but it was too little too late. Calicut FC held on to their lead and emerged as the champions of the Super League Kerala.The victory was a testament to the city's enduring love for football. In the past, Kozhikode has produced legendary players like I.M. Vijayan, who was present at the stadium to witness the resurgence of football in his hometown. The final match was a reminder of the glory days of Kozhikode football and offered hope for a bright future.

The inaugural Super League Kerala is set to culminate in a thrilling final between league leaders Calicut FC and Forca Kochi on Sunday night at the Corporation Stadium. The two teams have already faced off twice in the league phase, with Calicut FC winning one match (1-0) and the other ending in a draw (1-1).Calicut FC, the league's highest-scoring team with 20 goals, will be looking to maintain their impressive form. However, Forca Kochi boasts the league's top scorer, Brazilian striker Dori, who has netted five goals. Calicut FC also has two players with four goals apiece: Kervens Belfort and Gani Nigam.Calicut FC coach Ian Gillan is wary of Forca Kochi's defensive prowess. "Their defensive record speaks for itself, and we will need to be smart in breaking them down," he said. "We have worked on our offensive movements, transitions, and creating spaces to exploit, and we'll look to put that into action from the first whistle."Forca Kochi coach Mario Lemos believes the final could be a tactical battle. "Our team has worked hard to refine both our defensive organization and our attacking patterns," he said. "We will look to neutralize Calicut's attacking threats while exploiting the spaces that will open up as the match progresses. It is about finding that perfect balance between defense and attack, and we are confident we can do that against a quality side like Calicut."The match is expected to be a close and exciting affair, with both teams eager to claim the inaugural Super League Kerala title. The kick-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.

Forca Kochi Triumphs with Dorielton's HeroicsIn a thrilling encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Forca Kochi FC secured its first victory in the Super League Kerala, thanks to the brilliance of Brazilian forward Dorielton Gomes.The first half belonged to Thiruvananthapuram Kombans, who dominated possession and created numerous chances. Abdul Badish and Ganesan exploited the flanks, sending dangerous crosses into the box. Brazilian striker Marcos Wilder capitalized on one such opportunity, heading in a corner from Davi Kuhn in the 41st minute.However, the second half witnessed a dramatic shift in momentum. Kochi coach Mario Lemos introduced K.P. Rahul, who injected pace and energy into the home side's attack. In the 59th minute, Rahul's quick run and cross found Dorielton in the box. The Brazilian outwitted two defenders and sent a low cross to Rahul, who slotted the ball past goalkeeper Michel Santos.Dorielton sealed the victory for Kochi in the 75th minute. Nijo Gilbert's corner from the right found Dorielton unmarked, and the Brazilian calmly slotted the ball into the net.The result was a testament to the tactical adjustments made by Lemos and the determination of the Kochi players. Dorielton's performance was particularly impressive, as he not only scored the winning goal but also provided the assist for Rahul's equalizer.

Forca Kochi's Super League Kerala campaign got off to a shaky start, but they managed to salvage a point in their second match against Kannur Warriors. The Kochi side had lost their opening match and could not afford another defeat.The match started with Forca Kochi looking the more dangerous side. They created several chances but failed to find the back of the net. Kannur Warriors, on the other hand, were content to sit back and defend.The deadlock was broken in the 18th minute when David Grande scored a bizarre goal for Kannur Warriors. Forca Kochi goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Choudhury's lazy goal-kick hit the back of Grande inside the box and the deflection beat him comfortably.Forca Kochi continued to attack after the goal, but they were unable to find an equalizer. The Warriors defense held firm and kept the Kochi attackers at bay.The second half saw Forca Kochi continue to press for an equalizer. They finally got their reward in the 77th minute when Basanta Singh headed home a cross from Said Nidhal.The goal gave Forca Kochi a much-needed point and moved them up to fourth place in the table. Kannur Warriors remain top of the table with four points from two games.

Prithviraj Sukumaran's Forca Kochi Team Aims to Ignite Football Passion in KeralaRenowned actor Prithviraj Sukumaran is enthusiastic about the potential of the newly formed Super League Kerala to inspire young people to pursue football. However, he remains realistic, acknowledging that significant progress takes time."We're not expecting a revolution, but rather the beginning of one," said Sukumaran, the owner of the Forca Kochi team, during the team's launch event. "We hope this league will provide opportunities for grassroots players and help them achieve greater heights."The Kochi team boasts an impressive roster, including six foreign players: Brazilian Raphael Augusto, Tunisian Said Mohamed Nidhal and Dziri Omran, Ivory Coast's Nangui Mockey Jean Baptiste, South African Ngubo Siyanda, and Colombian Rodriguez Ayoza Luis Angel. Former Indian goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury also joins the team.Additionally, the squad features several players from I-League clubs and Kerala's Santosh Trophy team, such as Nijo Gilbert, Arjun Jayaraj, and Hajmel Sakkeer.Sukumaran emphasized the importance of developing a strong foundation for football in Kerala. "We need to create a system where young players have access to quality coaching, facilities, and opportunities to compete," he said.The Super League Kerala aims to provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and aspire to higher levels of competition. By attracting foreign players and partnering with experienced coaches, the league hopes to raise the overall standard of football in the state.Former Olympic hockey bronze medalist P.R. Sreejesh, who unveiled the Kochi team's jersey, expressed his support for the initiative. "Football has the power to unite people and inspire young minds," he said. "I'm confident that the Super League Kerala will play a significant role in promoting the sport in our state."