Sport - Football

SBT aims for consistency

KOCHI: While a dream ended for Viva Kerala on Sunday with its relegation from the I-League, another team from the State is working hard to find a way to the country’s premier football league.

The State Bank of Travancore team will be in action at the forthcoming Second Division National League, the qualifier for next year’s I-League. The dates and venue have not been confirmed, though word is around that the event would begin in March. But SBT is taking no chances.

Last year, when the bank decided to bring foreigners in its team for the first time, there was much confusion. And not much time.

And when the foreign players landed in Goa in early March, the team had just about time to say ‘hello’ to the newcomers from Nigeria.

Not surprisingly, SBT sunk without making an impression while Viva Kerala had a dream run in the Second Division and earned a fast berth to the I-League.

“This time, we have watched the three foreigners in tournaments, in the all-India event which we won in Sambalpur in November, before picking them. One of them played for Bengal Nagpur Railway while another player played for a Tripura club,” said the SBT coach K.P. Sethumadhavan.

“They are good, they are picking up and they are combining well with our boys,” said the former international about the new Nigerians Okoro Emeke Alex, Dennis Afam Mark and Jeribe Kelechi.

There is a buzz of excitement in Indian football these days and the entry of clubs with deep pockets is one big reason.

“This Second Division should be the strongest ever,” said Sethumadhavan. “Most of the teams this time are professional sides which will make it a very tough affair.”

But with the All India Football Association making it clear that the I-League will be expanded from 10 teams to 12 next year, there will be four qualifying berths available from the Second Division. “The four berths sure brighten our chances,” said the SBT coach.

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