IWL: Gokulam Kerala declare 27-member squad

India star Dangmei Grace has been named the captain.

Indian International Dangmei Grace will lead Gokulam Kerala FC in the upcoming Indian Women’s League set to start at Ahmadabad from April 26 onwards. GKFC, who are the current champions, will be fielding a strong 27-member squad with eight Kerala players, three foreigners, and twelve Indian national team players.

Gokulam Kerala have made additional signings of six national team players – Dangmei Grace, Indumathi Kathiresan, Shilky Devi, Ranjana Chanu and Kritina Devi – for the Indian Women’s League squad from the AFC team that has traveled to Uzbekistan in August.

Malabarians also have included three Kerala players from its Sports Kerala – Gokulam Football Academy – Cris Mariya Saju, Arathy PM, Shilji Shaji, and Greeshma MP – for the tournament. The Malabarians also have signed 15-year-old Kerala goalkeeper Minha AP as part of promoting youngsters into women's football.

The Malabarians will face East Bengal in the opening match on April 26 at Transstadia at 4.30 PM. The tournament happens in league-cum-knockout format. Gokulam Kerala will play seven matches in the Group stage. Four teams from the two groups will enter the knockout phase.

The team is coached by Anthony Andrew Samson, who won the last edition of the IWL with Malabarians. The team was training at Wayanad as part of the IWL preparation and reached Gujarat on Saturday.

Gokulam Kerala's Squad

Goalkeepers

Beatrice Ntiwaa Nketia (Ghana), Soumya Narayanasamy, Minha AP, Anitha Selvam

Defenders

Sorokhaibam Ranjana Chanu, Michael Castanha, Loitongbam Ashalata Devi, Manju Baby, C Reshma, Cris Mariya Saju, Thounaojam Kritina Devi

Midfielders

Dangmei Grace (captain), Indumathi Kathiresan, Kashmina, Hemam Shilky Devi, Soniya Jose, Arathy PM, Baby Lalchhandami, Greeshma MP, Asem Roja Devi

Forwards

Sandhiya Ranganathan, Harmilan Kaur, Manasa K, Shilji Shaji, Sabithra Bhandari (Nepal), Vivian Adjei Konadu (Ghana), Harishka Jain

Coaches

Head Coach: Anthony Andrew Samson

Assistant coach: Suraj Singh Bist

GK Coach: Abhilash Singh

Physiotherapist: Adithya Dileep