GV Raja Football: City Youngsters Impress on Debut

There is nothing more exciting than watching a bunch of youngsters, brimming with confidence and an eagerness to do well, displaying excellent football, that too on their debut outing, in front of ardent supporters.

 The third match of the SBT- GV Raja All-India Football Tournament held here the other day presented such a pleasing occasion when the minnows, Thiruvananthapuram District Football Association (TDFA) XI, almost routed South Eastern Railways, a team which recruits players from all over the country on the basis of a thorough screening.

 The youngsters, belonging to different local clubs in the district, after conceding a goal in the sixth minute, came back strongly to tie the railway team with an equaliser in the 45th minute of the first half.

 Sanal Kumar, the coach of the local team, who was jubilant over the way his side started the campaign, said that this new combination, which mostly has players from clubs in coastal areas, can evolve big, provided they are better looked after.

 “We summoned the players from different places almost 10 days before the tournament.   That is an insufficient time to build a team. But the players were so eager to perform well that they put in their maximum on the field,” he said.

 Except Basith and captain Midhun, both of them representing AG’s office, the rest of the players were roped in from clubs from Pozhiyoor, Pulluvila, Maryanadu and Adimalathura. The team, though very young and having scant professional exposure, banked on their enthusiasm and dedication and won appreciation from various quarters.

 “The team played brilliant football. They should have won, considering the way they played. This team can bring laurels to the state if they are better managed,” said Gee Varghese, secretary of the District Football Association.

 ‘’The players need to be provided with jobs if you want to make them comfortable,’’ felt Sanal Kumar.

 “I think the situation will improve fast. If we can’t alleviate the mental stress of the players, then we shouldn’t expect them to perform better on the field,” he signed off.