Gokulam Kerala face Sreenidi Deccan in high-stake I-League clash

KALYANI (West Bengal): Unbeaten so far, defending champions Gokulam Kerala would look to notch their sixth win of the season and rise to the top of the I-League table when they take on Sreenidi Deccan FC here on Tuesday. With 18 points from eight matches, Gokulam are second to table leaders Mohammedan Sporting (19 points from nine games) and they will go on top if they beat Sreenidi in a high-stake match between second and third placed sides. It's a reunion of sorts for many Gokulam players as they switched sides after winning the title last year.

“Tomorrow's game is very important for us, especially because there are many ex-Gokulam players in Sreenidi like Awal, Shibil, Mayakkannan, Lalromawia, Salah and coach Varela as well. They will try everything to win. We need to be very focused on our mental preparation,” said Gokulam coach Vincenzo Annese.

“We want to dominate and win the second ball. They are strong opponents but I have full confidence in my team. We have solid strikers and defenders,” the Italian added.

One player in focus will be Sreenidi striker David Castañeda, who has scored seven goals already and will present a tough challenge for the Gokulam backline led by Cameroonian centre-back Aminou Bouba. Sreenidi Deccan, on the other hand, continued their fine form, picking up their fourth win in the last five games after beating Kenkre 2-1. Coach Fernando Santiago Varela said although his side made a defensive mistake and conceded on the counter attack, they were improving their capacity to control the game, which is why they were able to come back and win.