Spreading the beautiful game across different regions of the country is one of the key objectives in Vision 2047, and the Federation’s plan to host the Hero Super Cup in Kerala, where both Hero ISL and Hero I-League teams will come together, is part of it. the-aiff.com is currently in Malappuram and Kozhikode and is following the progress of the clubs in the Hero Super Cup closely in a series of stories.

Akhil Rawat

AIFF Media Team

MANJERI: When Churchill Brothers won their Hero Super Cup Qualifier and were placed alongside Mumbai City FC, Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC, they knew they had their task cut out against some of the top clubs and players from the Hero ISL.

However, the Goan side have been a tough nut to crack in their first two games - going down to a last-gasp winner against Hero ISL Shield Winners Mumbai City and a battling stalemate against Chennaiyin.

Captain and right-back Lamgoulen Hangshing must be given a lot of credit for Churchill Brothers’ solid backline, which is yet to concede from open play in the Hero Super Cup. “We prepared well to face ISL teams in the Hero Super Cup. We stuck to the plan as set by our coach,” said Gogou, as he is better known.

“Of course, we want to win the match, but we had to settle for a draw. It’s not a bad result, we’re still happy with it. But we want all three points in the last match against NorthEast United,” Gogou added.

While the Red Machines are now out of the running for the semi-final spot, Gogou stated they have no option but to go all out to get their first Hero Super Cup victory.

Churchill Brothers came into the tournament on the back of a mid-table finish in the Hero I-League. With nine wins and 33 points in 22 games, the Goans ended in sixth place. For Gogou, personally, it was his best season ever. The 25-year-old was the Hero I-League's highest tackler with 89 tackles, an accomplishment which obviously delights him but doesn't mean everything to him.

“As a defender, to have your name on top of the tackles list is one of the best achievements, so I'm happy with that. But as a team, we want to do better. We finished sixth, but we want to be higher on the table. Individual things aren't always the most important ones,” he shared.

As a full-back in modern football, it's imperative to not just be strong in defence, but contribute in attack as well. To take his game to the next level, Gogou recognises the need to master both facets of the game.

“Full-backs these days want to be more attacking. We want to go on the overlaps, give good crosses, and sometimes, it’s very difficult to immediately come back and defend as well. So it’s important to have good communication with the wingers as it makes the job easy,” he said.

Gogou has been at Churchill Brothers since 2018 and is one of their longest-serving players, which is extraordinary for a non-Goan player at the club. If he wasn’t already a club legend before, head coach Mateus Costa surely acknowledged it by rewarding him with the captain’s armband ahead of the Hero Super Cup.

“He deserves it. After being loyal to the club for so long and giving his all in every game, he surely does,” said Costa proudly. “Foreigners have led us for so long, but now it’s his turn.”

Gogou, of course, couldn’t be happier to lead the Red Machines. “It’s my first time as a captain,” he said with a beaming smile. “You have to shoulder the responsibilities. I hope to set a good example and do good as a captain in the future as well.”