Mithun to lead Kerala team

Kochi: Goalkeeper and experienced campaigner Mithun V will lead Kerala in the 76th Santosh Trophy National Football Championship. This is Mithun's eighth Santosh Trophy. Coach PB Ramesh has almost retained the same squad which won the silver in the National Games held in Gujarat last month. Twelve members of the 22-member squad were part of the National Games squad. "We have tried to form a team giving equal importance to experience and youth," said coach PB Ramesh. This is his first assignment as a coach in Santosh Trophy.Sixteen members of the Kerala squad will be competing in the Santosh Trophy for the first time while only three from the last year's title-winning squad have been retained. Apart from captain Mithun, Vignesh M and Nijo Gilbert are the two other players who were part of Kerala's title winning squad in the last Santosh Trophy."Most of the players from the last team have turned professionals as they managed to find an ISL or I-league team," said Ramesh who added that the new players are capable of doing an encore. Kerala squad: Goalkeepers: Mithun V (SBI), Ajmal P (FC Areekode), Alkesh Raj TV (Sai Kollam); Defenders: Manoj M (Kerala United), Shinu R (KSEB), Jerito J (KSEB), Belgin Bolster (KSEB), Amin K (FC Areekode), Muhammad Salim U (KSEB), Sachu CB (Kerala United), Akhil J Chandran (Gokulam Kerala); Midfield: Rashid M (KSEB), Rizwan Ali (FC Areekode), Nijo Gilbert (KSEB), Ajeesh P (AG's Kerala), Vysakh Mohanan (Gokulam Kerala), Hrishidat (Gokulam), Gifty C Gracious (KSEB), Abdul Rahim KK (Basco FC);; Forwards: Jol Paul J (KSEB), Vignesh M (KSEB), Naresh B (Muthoot FA); Reserve players: Hajmal S, Asif OM, Sriraj K, Arjun V; Coach: Ramesh PB; Assistant coach: Bineesh Kiran; Goalkeeper coach: Hamid KK; Manager Mohammad Rafeeq
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss the yearly horoscope 2025 and Chinese horoscope 2025 for Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes and messages.