Chirag United Kerala regains its striker

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A quality forward can single-handedly win you matches no matter how average a team you have.

The perfect example of this was P.K. Anil Kumar’s presence in the Chirag United Kerala (formerly Viva Kerala) side last season where the team managed to stay afloat the relegation zone courtesy the striker’s hunger for goals.

As the golden boy is expected to return to the team that had elevated him to the category of highly potential goal poachers in the I-League, the team has to be able to perform well and without any excuses.

Coach Nizam Packeer Ali reiterated his remarks in a post Air India match interview saying that unless the team had a natural striker they were always going to be minnows in a pool of sharks.

Well coach, your prayers have been answered. Team manager K. Prasanthan confirmed that Anil Kumar was unhappy with Dempo after being kept on the bench for all the four rounds in the season so far and was desperate to get back to his former club.

“I had talked to him and also to the Dempo management and they have agreed to release him. He will most likely be available for the next home match against Dempo,” Prasanthan said. If the deal happens on time, Chirag will have the 30-year-old in their forward line-up on Thursday.

Football gets live in Kerala

Kerala has had an I-League team since 2009, but it struggled to find form in this football crazy State. However, Sunday’s match held at the University Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram signalled a changing trend.

The District Football Association records state that about 8,500 spectators turned up for the Air India game despite overcast conditions.

And the figures are impressive considering that the previous home seasons were in Kozhikode in 2009 and Kannur in 2010.

“Despite the rains we had a decent crowd and that is always a good sign,” said M. Rajeev, member of the organising committee. Meanwhile, Kerala Football Association secretary P. Anil Kumar said, “the home crowd likes to see their team win; that is how you build supporters.”

Now, with the return of Anil Kumar and the resurfacing of football lovers, the only thing needed is for the home team to find its winning streak. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.