Kochi: While it is quite common in club football for a team to comprise only a few local players, it is equally rare for that club to be little known in its home town.
Such is the curious case of Kochi-based second division side Eagles FC, the only team from Kerala in the 16-member Federation Cup set to begin on Tuesday.
The Eagles underwent a complete makeover, recruiting new players and staff. As the Blues line up against I-League side Pune FC, it will be their first outing before local supporters since their rebirth.
Head coach Stanley Rozario wants to utilise the Cup as an opportunity to showcase their untried style to lure fans and leave a lasting debut memory ahead of the upcoming second-division I-League in November.
“This is a team formed just 45 days back. We had little time to prepare for this event. Don't rule us out as we are ready to give our best to impress the home crowd,” said Stanley.
The 20-member squad of Eagles has former India striker Sushil Kumar Singh as captain. The team comprises seven Kerala players, 10 from other states, all of whom are contracted with the IMG-Reliance League and three overseas players.
The squad
Kerala players: Sujil K.S., Shajeer K.H., Sujil N.S., Najesh M., Naawaz K., Sudheesh Muttath and Mithun V.
IMG players: Sushil Kumar (captain), Avinab B., Bijendra Rai, Biswaser Singh, Chitrasen Singh, Govin Singh, Gouranga Biswas, Jagroop Singh, Subash Singh and Nadong Bhutia.
Internationals: Odili Felix Chidi, Sakibu Koko (Nigeria) and Charles Dzisah (Ghana)
