Viva Kerala will kick start a new era under the sponsorship of Kunnath Pharmaceuticals as they face Goa-based club Churchill Brothers in the opening match of the Federation Cup 2010 at Tilak Maidan, Goa on Monday. In the second match of Group B at Goa, Sesa Goa will be up against Chirag United.
Following the signing of a deal with the Kerala club, Kunnath Pharmaceuticals’ KC Abraham joined the club board as the Director. Former Chairman P Bhaskaran will now act as the Managing Director and ex-Director SM Syed masood will be the new Chairman. The new Director KC Abraham is so optimistic that he has announced that he will do whatever possible to see Viva win the I-League title next season.
Many of the key players of the last season have left the club like captain MP Sakeer, Sirajudeen C, Surjith VV and Noushad K. The team has recruited Kalia Kulothungan from Mohun Bagan, Chandni FC’s OK Javed and Anil Kumar KP from KSEB. The team has also replaced last season’s striker Reuben Senyo with ONGC Mumbai’s Nigerian striker Ayuba Mbwas Mangut.
Viva Kerala are clubbed with Chirag United, Churchill Brothers and Sesa Goa in Group B of the quarter final league of the Federation Cup 2010 at Vasco, Goa. After playing Churchill, they will face Chirag United on Septemebr 23 and Sesa Football Academy on 25th. The top team from each group qualifies for the semi finals.
Musli Power X-tra Viva Kerala Team List:
Goalkeepers: Shahinlal Meloly, K Sharath, Nishad (Kerala under-21)
Defenders: Charles Dzisah, Bello Rasaq, P Sajesh, T Faizal (Akbar Travels, Mumbai), Sadiq Ali, Sherin Sam (both Kerala under-21), D Sajin (Josco FC),KV Shamil (Chandni FC), Mohammed Muneer (BMFC, Mumbai)
Midfielders: Kalia Kulothungan (McDowell’s Mohun Bagan), VR Murugappan (Tamil Nadu), PK Anilkumar (KSEB), T Karma, P Rahul, Mohammed Shafi (SBT), CK Vineeth (KSEB), Ummer Faroque, U Jimshad (both Calicut University)
Forwards: CS Sabeeth, VK Shibinlal, C Nasarudheen (Calicut University), OK Javed (Chandni FC), Ayuba Mbwas Mangut (ONGC, Mumbai)
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Tuesday 21 September 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.