Santosh Trophy: Nijo Gilbert to lead Kerala

Nijo Gilbert has been named Kerala captain. File photo

Midfielder Nijo Gilbert will lead Kerala in the Santosh Trophy National Football Championships.

Defender Sanju G has been named his deputy in the 22-member squad announced by the Kerala Football Association on Wednesday.

Kerala will open their campaign against Gujarat on October 11 in the first phase of the championship.

Seven-time champions Kerala are placed in Group A along with hosts Goa, Jammu & Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and Gujarat.

Nine teams from six groups will progress to the final phase to be held in Arunachal Pradesh.

Defending champions Karnataka, runners-up Meghalaya and hosts Arunachal Pradesh will join the nine qualifiers in the final stage.  

The 12 teams will be divided into two groups of six teams each. The top two will advance to the semifinals.

Kerala, who failed to qualify for the semifinals last season, have named Satheevan Balan as chief  coach. 

Kerala squad: Goalkeepers: Muhammed Azhar K, Sidharth Rajeevan Nair, Muhammed Nisahd P P

Defenders: Belgin Bolster, Sanju G, Shinu  R, Mohammed Salim, Nithin Madhu, Sujith R, Sarath K P.

Midfielders: Nijo Gilbert, Arjun V, Jithin G, Akbar Sidhique N P, Rashid M, Riswan Ali E K, Bijesh Balan, Abdhu Raheem.

Strikers: Sajeesh E, Muhammed Ashiq S, Naresh B, Junain K

Chief coach: Satheevan Balan 

Assistant coach: P K Asis

Goalkeeping coach: Harshal Rahman

Manager: Dr Sudhir Kumar

Kerala's fixtures: Versus Gujarat, October 11, 9 am

Versus Jammu & Kashmir, October 13, 9 am

Versus Chhattisgarh, October 15, 9 am

Versus Goa, October 17, 4 pm

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