THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The sizeable holiday crowd at University stadium
had come to watch just one man. Never mind that he is 43, and making a
comeback after a four-year hiatus. IM Vijayan still commands a huge fan
following in Kerala, especially in Thiruvnanthapuram where he first made
his mark as a footballer with Kerala Police.
The majority in the crowd - who were teenagers - had never seen him play but had heard enough of Vijayan's skills on the field and they roared in approval when he quietly got up to warm up before taking field against SBT in the final of the GV Raja All-India football tournament last Tuesday.
The majority in the crowd - who were teenagers - had never seen him play but had heard enough of Vijayan's skills on the field and they roared in approval when he quietly got up to warm up before taking field against SBT in the final of the GV Raja All-India football tournament last Tuesday.
The 'fox in the box' showed glimpses of his greatness during his brief
stay on the field. A flick on, a back heel or a deft pass - which
invariably found space between the cluster of legs to land at the feet
of the intended player - showed Vijayan hasn't lost any of his
play-making ability.
One of the most feared strikers India has produced, Vijayan might have slowed down with age but at the poorly lit University stadium, he commanded respect from his rivals, many of whom were playing against him for the first time.
"We played without six of our main players and were playing our 10th match in two weeks. These youngsters are solid and promising too. I'm glad that I could play with such a talented team after so many years," said Vijayan soon after the final which the cops lost 1-5. A week ago Kerala cops had lost to Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, by a solitary goal in the final of the TFA Shield in Chennai.
"You know I cannot be off the field for a long time," Vijayan told TOI about his decision to re-join Kerala Police a couple of months ago. "I'm seriously into coaching. I will be based in Thrissur with the Kerala Police Academy. My life and soul will be for coaching kids, no doubt."
-TOI
One of the most feared strikers India has produced, Vijayan might have slowed down with age but at the poorly lit University stadium, he commanded respect from his rivals, many of whom were playing against him for the first time.
"We played without six of our main players and were playing our 10th match in two weeks. These youngsters are solid and promising too. I'm glad that I could play with such a talented team after so many years," said Vijayan soon after the final which the cops lost 1-5. A week ago Kerala cops had lost to Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, by a solitary goal in the final of the TFA Shield in Chennai.
"You know I cannot be off the field for a long time," Vijayan told TOI about his decision to re-join Kerala Police a couple of months ago. "I'm seriously into coaching. I will be based in Thrissur with the Kerala Police Academy. My life and soul will be for coaching kids, no doubt."
-TOI
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