Kannur: While goalkeepers often get the spotlight for their spectacular saves on the football field, a dedicated coach is usually working behind the scenes. For Kannur Warriors FC, who have successfully qualified for the Super League Kerala semi-finals, that key figure is goalkeeper coach Eldho Paul, from Peravoor in Kottayam.
A goalkeeper coach’s role is crucial, often involving careful planning that goes unnoticed. The team, which finished third last season, failed to keep any clean sheets. However, things changed significantly in the second season after Eldho Paul joined as the goalkeeper coach. Under his training, goalkeepers Ubaid CK, Mithun V, and Alkesh Raj helped the team secure three clean sheets in ten matches.
His coaching also helped Ubaid CK become the fourth-ranked goalkeeper in the league for the most saves. A coach is also essential in giving a goalkeeper the confidence and courage needed to handle pressure during matches.
Eldho Paul has an impressive record as a coach. He is one of the few people in Kerala to hold a ‘B’ license in both general and goalkeeper coaching from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). He was the goalkeeper coach when the Kerala team won a gold medal at the National Games after a 28-year wait. In 2024, he was also the assistant coach for the M.G. University team that won second place in the All India Inter-University Football Championship and third place in the Khelo India Football Championship.
As a player, he has represented teams such as Cochin Port, Josco FC, Eagles FC, and Golden Threads FC.
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