With another new season of the Indian Women’s League season starting, Gokulam Kerala will begin their usual journey of going top of the rest and tasting more silverware. However, the Malabarians will have to do it in a new format with the competition undergoing changes once again. The 2023-24 IWL will be played with eight teams on a home and away basis providing a whole different challenge than before. The league will also last for four months which is the first ever and will have a unique look to it.
The competition is set to grow in the IWL but Anthony Andrews’s team are no pushovers and will be ready to battle all showing their title-winning mentality. The three consecutive-time winners are eyeing a fourth in the bag having reinforced themselves strongly in the transfer window. Their efforts were reflected in their excellent showing at the continental level in their second AFC appearance. The side finished second in their group, losing only to leaders Urawa Red Diamonds and picking up their second win in the competition history with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Bangkok FC.
Gokulam will aim to translate the motivation gained from the achievement into domestic success yet again but without their two stars of last season. IWL’s record goal-scorer Sabitra Bhandari has departed the club so has the hero of the league last season Indumathi Kathiresan, the latter to title rivals Odisha FC. The Malabarians will still feel they are strong enough with the blend of experience and youth in their squad to help them reach the finishing line. Their title-winning manager from the last two seasons, Anthony Andrews is also a major factor behind their belief. Do have a look here at Gokulam Kerala IWL 2023-24 Squad
Fixtures
The 2023-24 IWL season starts in an electrifying fashion for Gokulam Kerala as they take on former winners and last season’s semi-finalists Sethu FC on 8th December 2023. The opener will be played at home the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode, the same ground used by the men’s team in the I-League. Two away games will follow after this with a trip to Delhi to face Hops FC but the important one comes against Odisha FC. The Juggernauts will be seeking revenge for their last season’s quarterfinal exit through penalties in the hands of Gokulam.
The rematch of the final early this year with Kickstart FC, whom they hit five without reply in the showpiece, comes in 2024 on 12th January 2024 at home. Kolkata giants East Bengal FC and Sethu FC in the reverse clash comes as the next big challenges in consecutive away games in the same month. The home clash with Odisha FC is in early February next year with the season concluding for Gokulam Kerala with two heavyweight clashes in March. Both are home ties against Kickstart and East Bengal.
Friday, 8 December 2023
Gokulam Kerala vs Sethu FC - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
Thursday, 14 December 2023
Hops FC vs Gokulam Kerala - Ambedkar Stadium, Delhi (13:00)
Wednesday, 20 December 2023
Odisha FC vs Gokulam Kerala - Kalinga Stadium, Odisha (15:00)
Saturday, 6 January 2024
Gokulam Kerala vs Sports Odisha - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
Friday, 12 January 2024
Gokulam Kerala vs Kickstart FC - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
East Bengal FC vs Gokulam Kerala - East Bengal Ground, Kolkata (14:30)
Sunday, 28 January 2024
Sethu FC vs Gokulam Kerala - Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai (15:30)
Saturday, 3 February 2024
Gokulam Kerala vs Hops FC - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
Friday, 9 February 2024
Gokulam Kerala vs Odisha FC - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
Sunday, 3 March 2024
Sports Odisha vs Gokulam Kerala - Kalinga Stadium, Odisha (15:00)
Sunday, 10 March 2024
Kickstart FC vs Gokulam Kerala - Bangalore Football Stadium, Bangalore (15:30)
Saturday, 23 March 2024
Gokulam Kerala vs East Bengal FC - EMS Corporation Stadium, Kozhikode (15:30)
