by PS Parameswaran

Viva Kerala - The rise of Kerala's new hope
After the exit of India's first professional club FC Kochin, Kerala's club football has been going through a lean patch. Thiruvananthapuram-based institutional club State Bank of Travancore where the best after FC Kochin got relegated from the NFL. When SBT qualified for the NFL there were high hopes in Kerala, but they directly went down again. So Kerala football was off the Indian NFL map. The need for a new professional club in Kerala had arisen after poor performances from SBT and the disappearance of FC Kochin.
Then in August 2004 a new professional club called Viva Kerala was born in Kochi. The team was able to convince seasoned TK Chathunni to take over the job of coach. The team focused on taking in new and young players rather than spending a fortune on superstars. The approach was simply the big difference between FC Kochin and Viva Kerala. While FC Kochin started with big bang and superstars, Viva Kerala started with a bunch of young and talented players.

The first objective of Viva Kerala was to win the local Ernakulam District League (EDFA League).This was achieved with the team winning the league having scored a total of 37 goals. It was a new record in the history of the EDFA. Thereafter Viva Kerala participated in the Alukkas Gold Cup (Edavanna, Nilambur February 2005) where they upset some top clubs like Mohammedan Sporting Club, Titanium XI. In the end they finished runners-up going down on penalties to KSEB, Trivandrum. Then in April 2005 Viva Kerala for the first time participated in the Kerala State Club Championship. Viva continued to impress as they defeated Kerala Police and FC Calicut before going down to Titanium XI in the final. After impressive performances in the following tournaments Viva Kerala was a given chance in the Kerala State League. Viva trying to make the maximum out of their chance reached the semifinals, where they went down fighting to State Bank of Travancore. In the end Viva Kerala finished third, but had made an immediate impact on the Kerala football scene in its first year of existence.

The year 2006 saw Viva Kerala becoming an integral part of Kerala football and conquering the hearts of the football lovers of Kerala. Viva Kerala started their campaign in the 31st Kerala State Club Championship with two easy wins, but suffered a defeat at the hands of KSEB in the semifinals. It was an outstanding performance from the team but they lacked a bit of luck. Viva Kerala also ensured that for the second successive year they were the EDFA League champions. Viva won all their six matches to retain the league title. After an impressive performance in the Kerala State Club Championship and EDFA League Viva Kerala's next assignment was the All-India Tournament held in Tirur. The tournament consisted of teams like State Bank of Travancore; Titanium XI; Central Railway, Mumbai; Punjab Police; etc. Viva Kerala emerged as the champions of the tournament by defeating Titanium XI in the final. Earlier in the semifinals Viva defeated State Bank of Travancore. The tournament also saw the rise of a new player in the Viva Kerala ranks - Badmus Baba Thunde, a Young Nigerian striker, who had been rejected by numerous top Indian clubs earlier.

After successfully retaining the EDFA League and winning the tournament in Tirur Viva had their chance to impress further in the Kerala State League. Viva Kerala were grouped along with Kochin Port Trust and their archrivals State Bank of Travancore. Viva Kerala thrashed Kochin Port Trust, but went down fighting to State Bank of Travancore. In the semifinals of the league Viva edged past Titanium XI in a penalty shootout. And then in the final Viva Kerala drew State Bank of Travancore, but still won the league title by a draw of lots. Baba Thunde emerged as the top scorer of the tournament with 4 goals. In a turn around TK Chathunni was replaced as Viva Kerala coach by AM Sreedharan, who also has a great deal of coaching experience. He is a former India coach, Kerala state coach and had success with clubs like Kerala Police and FC Kochin. His first assignment was the Federation Cup 2006, the first-ever national tournament for Viva Kerala in Calcutta. Viva Kerala were drawn against the powerful Mohun Bagan. Viva Kerala were thrashed 4-1 by Mohun Bagan, but still Viva left Calcutta with their heads high and won a lot of hearts. Earlier Viva Kerala had won the 3rd Division National Football League - South Zone qualifiers held in Thrissur, a first step on the path towards the National Football League. Viva Kerala overcame Indian Bank, KSEB, etc to win the zonals. The most impressive thing about Viva Kerala's performance is that Viva didn't concede a single goal in the league. So winning EDFA League, Tirur Tournament, Kerala State League and 3rd Division National Football League - South Zone; Viva Kerala became a powerhouse of Kerala football and a team to look out for within Indian football.

Viva Kerala started 2007 playing the Don Bosco Trophy in Kochi. But a disappointing performance saw Viva Kerala crashing out in the semifinals against Central Excise. Then the opportunity for a NFL spot came in the way of Second Division NFL.12 teams were in the running for two promotion spots to the NFL with the teams divided into two groups of six teams each. Viva Kerala and State Bank of Travancore were placed in different groups. Viva Kerala were asked to play their matches in Kochi, while Group 2 teams had to play their games in Goa. Viva Kerala were grouped along Salgaocar SC, Army XI, Lajong SC, Indian Bank and Jammu&Kashmir Bank. Viva Kerala stunned everyone by finishing second in the group to qualify for the finals in Calicut along with Salgaocar SC and Army XI. From Goa Vasco SC; ONGC, Mumbai; and Chirag United took their place in the final phase. In the final phase Viva Kerala finished as runners-up of the Second Division NFL to booking their place in the National Football League 2007/08. The combination of Badmus Baba Thunde and PK Anil Kumar was one of the main factors in the success of Viva Kerala. In midfield Denson Devadas has been very effective for Viva, while the defence was led by their captain Dhanarajan and Ombalaji. Viva Kerala were joined by Salgaocar SC, who returned to the NFL as champions of the 2.Division. Viva Kerala aren't a one hit wonder and so far they are consistent performers. The presence of two Nigerians is of great help to Viva Kerala. The two are performing well in their respective positions. If any improvement is needed for Viva Kerala it is that of their defence. There should be a defender who is capable of supporting Saheed Omobalaji. Also there is need for recruiting young players to support the current crop of players and to develop a better team in the future. Also Viva Kerala has to exploit Sreedharan's services. His strict training and coaching have really made Viva Kerala competitive at a very good level. The management is also supportive, as they really motivate players to perform well. If Viva Kerala can maintain the current performance they can reach new levels in Indian football. Beware Viva Kerala is coming to become the best of Indian football.
The hopes and wishes of the Kerala football fans are with them.
Best Wishes for Viva Kerala FC!