Kerala captain P. Usman, second left, receives the team jersey from Kerala Football Association president K.M.I. Mather, second right, in Kochi on Wednesday. Josekutty PanackalKochi: Striker P. Usman will lead Kerala in the Santosh Trophy main phase to be held in Goa from Sunday.
Coach and former international V.P. Shaji has made four changes to the team which topped the qualifiers held in Kozhikode.
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Nishon Xavier, Jipson Justin, Sherin Sam and Jijo Joseph have come in place of Firoz, Shibin Lal, Ananthu Murali and Netto Benny.
Usman was handed over the team jersey by Kerala Football Association president K.M.I. Mather in the presence of officials of team sponsors Ramco and Cosco here on Wednesday.
Kerala are in Group B along with Railways, Punjab, Mizoram and Maharashtra.
Group A consists of holders Services, West Bengal, Goa, Chandigarh and Meghalaya.
Kerala open their campaign against Railways on March 15. The team next meets Punjab on March 17 followed by ties against Mizoram (March 19) and Maharashtra (March 21).
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the semifinals.
Kerala team: Midhun, Ajmal, Melbin S., Najesh M, Lijo S, Rahul V Raj, Noushad K, Sreerag VG, Seesan S, Sherin Sam, Mohammed P., Jishnu Balakrishnan, Nishon Xavier, Jijo Joseph, Azharuddeen, P. Usman (captain), Joby Justin, Eldhose George, Jipson Justin and Sahal Abdul Samad.
