THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: What the current and former football players are now feeling cannot be merely termed as enthusiastic. When Chirag United’s home matches of the fifth edition of I-league are kicked off in the city on November 6, they earnestly hope that the tournament would assist in a big way in ‘waking up’ football from its dormant state. V P Shaji, former International player and the present coach of SBT, feels that the league may provide redemption to the ailing sport in the state. “The matches of national significance and high standards will encourage the domestic players to perform better,” the former Santhosh Trophy captain said. He believes that the matches will thrill the spectators as all the six teams play an attacking game. “But Goans should be watched. Their playing style matches with our style. They are also acquainted with our climatic conditions, which are similar to that of Goa,” he said. Backed by vast experience, Shaji is not ready to write off Chirag. He had seen their match with Mohun Bagan and was highly satisfied with the performance. But in his probability list, Goan teams holds a better chance. “Speed is the trademark of Goan football. Even in this era of rough football, where defenders play the role of maulers, who at times roughen up the evading forwards, the congenital character of Goan football is still afresh. The strategy of these teams takes a deadly turn in the midfield. It is the medios who play the anchor role. If they deliver, then the match would be worth watching. If not, then nothing would be more monotonous,” Shaji said. In his opinion Salgaocar is the most formidable team after Moroccan coach Karim Bencharifa took the helm. Asif Zaheer, the lethal striker with SBT, is of the opinion that the state football administration has to learn a lesson or two from I-league. As the host team, Chirag will have Asif’s support. But he feels that Dempo is the best of the teams that are playing here. Dempo’s game is fast and dominating. The team works as a unit. Most of the players are from Goa. So,coordination will be there. The deadly striker in the form of Ranty Martins is more than capable of scoring from half-chances. Asif also feels that under the watchful eyes of coach Armando Colaco, Dempo has emerged as a champion team. Sylvester Ignatius, the former captain of Kerala team, has still not made up his mind whether to watch the games or not. Ignatius has been avoiding the grounds since he was omitted from the State team, way back in 2005. “I haven’t worn my boots ever since. But if I turn up to watch the match, then Dempo would be my favourites,” Ignatius, who is currently in New Delhi, told Express over phone.
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