Annese has been doing a stunning job with GKFC as they not only became the first club in I-League history to defend their title while also made a stunning AFC Cup debut.
Follow Us
Gokulam Kerala FC head coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese has claimed that “there is no difference between ISL and I-League” after his side’s win over ATK Mohun Bagan on Wednesday. The I-League champions GKFC defeated Indian Super League (ISL) club ATKMB 4-2 in a group D match of the AFC cup at Salt Lake stadium. Luca Majcen scored a brace while P Rishad and Jithin MS netted a goal each for the Kerala outfit. Pritam Kotal and Liston Colaco reduced the margin for ATKMB. Annese has been doing a stunning job with GKFC as they not only became the first club in I-League history to defend their title while also made a stunning AFC Cup debut.
Vincenzo Alberto Annese expresses his views ?️
Do you agree❓#GKFC #Malabarians #AFCCUP #GFCAMB pic.twitter.com/BsaH0S93ts
— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) May 18, 2022
Read more:
How Pedro Porro convinced Sporting Lisbon to make his loan move from Manchester City permanent
The I-League is treated as a second tier of Indian football that supplies local players to the ISL. The ISL clubs are financially much bigger compared to I-League side’s and attract quality foreign players. Meanwhile I-League provides the platform for home grown players to showcase their skills. “I’ll tell you the truth, We have proved today that there is no difference between ISL and I-League. I want the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to realise this,” he said in a press conference following his sides win over the Mariners.
The Italian tactician went on to say that the only difference between the two leagues in the budget involved and relegation battling Real Kashmir FC gave them more problems than the three time ISL champions. GKFC displayed clinical counter-attacking football to get the better of the Kolkata outfit. Meanwhile ATKMB’s defence, which lost centre-back Tiri because of an ACL injury in the 37th minute, often looked in sixes and sevens.
Vincenzo added: “ATK Mohun Bagan is a very important club and they are very experienced. Right now, we represent India (in AFC Cup). We are very proud of our performance. We have lost a lot of energy. In real terms, the budget of one player of ATK Mohun Bagan can buy 20 of our players including me. What really counts is the commitment, emotion and performance on the pitch. Real Kashmir, who were fighting relegation (in the I-League), gave us more problems than ATK Mohun Bagan. This is what I want to show the federation.”
None of the Indian players in the GKFC lineup has a national cap to their name while all seven of ATKMB’s starters have played for India. Infacet, apart from full-back Pabir Das, all other six are regulars in Igor Stimac’s side. Meanwhile 12 of the 21 players in the GKFC team are Kerala-born, which is a testament to the development of local players.
