I.M.Vijayan dribbles again

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The standing ovation and audience support Kerala Police received in their lost match against local favourites, Integrated Coached Factory (ICF), 1-0, had something to do with a legend.

It was I.M. Vijayan who grabbed the attention of the crowd at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai in the final of Aima-TFA Shield all-India football tournament as he enthralled the crowd with his incisive passing and mesmerising dribbling skills.

He was substituted in the second half of the match, and the game was the first professional game he was playing for Kerala Police in an all-India tournament after his retirement.

“We had good support from the crowd. Though we played brilliantly, we lost several near-goal chances. However, it was a major achievement for us to be in the final, as this was our first all-India tournament after the revamp,” says Vijayan.

“After the first goal scored by them, we went full throttle. The players needed more experience, and should think more. This was the first time we were playing against good teams. Inexperience might have been a factor for the defeat. However, I am totally confident with the team,” says the Indian legend.

“The crowd support is something that’s encouraging for me. If I get a chance, I would like to play more. But, at present, I am busy with the work of the Police football academy that’s being set up in Thrissur,” he says.

“Luck could be decisive in a football match. Even if you put a lot of effort, it will not be good enough to grab a win at the end of the play. Besides, the weather was too hot for us,” says coach in-charge of Kerala Police Shimjith.

“We are now going to participate at GV Raja Football Tournament. Three of our main players are injured, and I am not sure whether we could make a mark there. The tight fixture is a major problem and we have two games in a row starting from Tuesday,” he says.