Khosla ka hosla

Picking up football from his older brother Bhavin Khosla in the second grade, Girik Khosla was emerging as the bright spark for his school Don Bosco, Matunga until he had to quit the game five years later.

He didn’t give in to the career-threatening injury and restarted his game, only to script history with Minerva Punjab Football Club, who became I-League champions after a dramatic last day, recently.

“I had a pus-filled lump in my groin, due to which doctor had advised me to leave football,” says the 23-yeard-old younger Khosla.

But football was the only game he could play in the narrow lanes and bylanes of Sion-Koliwada. Girik remained away from football, but not for too long. He started playing it gradually again and after two years he was playing normally and shining for his school.

“Watching others play, including my brother, was tempting. I resisted for some time, but not for long. Initially it was tough but thankfully it didn’t trouble me much later. It was fun to play barefoot, especially in the rainy season,” he smiles.

Girik played for local club Companero’s, until the Mumbai FC U-19 scouts picked him. But it was his stint with Nagpur FC that made him a better player. “Nagpur FC coach Bimal Ghosh asked me to to join his club if I wanted to develop my game. I agreed and one year later I could see the difference it made to my career,” he says, talking about former Air India coach Ghosh, who was known to mastermind the survival of airmen in I-League, despite limited avenues.

Later, Girik signed a three-year contract with Chandigarh-based Minerva. He was loaned to Chandigarh and helped them qualify for the final phase of the Santosh Trophy in 2017, a feat they hadn’t achieved since the past 19 years.

This gave a surge to his career, unlike his brother Bhavin’s, who had to hang his boots after Mahindra United decided to shut shop. Bhavin was with the junior team and later decided to concentrate on academics. Now, he is helping Girik realise his dream of playing for India.

“I have full support of my family, and my brother is my inspiration,” says Girik.

Minerva triumph
He smiles, reflecting on the dream triumph of Minerva, who won maiden I-League title in their second season, also becoming  the first North Indian team to win national league after JCT Phagwara had won the inaugural National Football League in 1996. The 2017-18 I-league was down to the most dramatic final day in the competition’s history, with as many as four teams, including old guards Mohun Bagan and East Bengal, gunning for the title. Debutants Neroca FC, surprisingly, were the other contenders.

Minerva had hiccups prior to the final game, before sealing it with a 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers in last game at home.

“We were getting a lot of motivational speeches and stress was on technical development before the final game. We had worked hard through the season, and wanted to win the league. We didn’t want to lose this golden chance and when we did it, the atmosphere was electric,” recalls Girik, who played in nine games and had five starts during the League.

“Though I played as a striker for other teams, here I was  mostly playing in the left half . So, I didn’t get many scoring opportunities,” says the forward, who scored once and had one assist in the tournament.

He interchanged positions with Chencho Gyeltshen at times as a striker. He also performed the role of play-maker at times and gave his contribution in the final league game, when William Opoku Asiedu converted the winner from a point blank range, after a rebound from Girik’s shot, which fell right into his feet.

Girik had Mumbaikars Altamash Sayed and Abhishek Ambekar for company in the Chandigarh based club. Last season, Mumbai players Jayesh Rane and Ashutosh Mehta were involved in Aizawl FC’s remarkable I-league triumph scripted by coach Khalid Jamil.

India dreams
Minerva will play in Super Cup main round from March 31, a tournament comprising of I-League and ISL teams. They are also now eligible to play in AFC Champions League and AFC Cup.

“It will be a great experience to play in the Super Cup. AFC Cup obviously would be great for me,” says Girik, while relaxing at his home. He has been called for the grueling camp by his club from March 19. His ultimate aim is to play for India.

“I am taking things step by step and my ultimate aim is to play for India. I was in the India U-23 reserves last year but wasn’t called for the camp. Hopefully I will be there soon, I am working hard for that,” says the Sunil Chhetri fan, who also likes Mohun Bagan club.