I.M. Vijayan lauds Gokulam Kerala star Marcus Joseph

After Gokulam Kerala became only the second team from Kerala to win Durand Cup, former Indian football captain I.M. Vijayan applauded striker Marcus Joseph's role in the team's title quest.

I.M. Vijayan and Gokulam Kerala striker Marcus Joseph share a light moment.

Former Indian international I.M. Vijayan had words of praise for Gokulam Kerala's star striker Marcus Joseph, who scored a brace in the Durand Cup final against Kolkata giant Mohun Bagan to clinch the trophy.

Vijayan, who led FC Kochin to Durand Cup victory in 1997 — which was the last time a Kerala team won the tournament — acknowledged the Trinidad and Tobago forward's abilties.

"To defeat East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in successive matches, that too at Kolkata, is no mean achievement. Gokulam winning the Durand Cup is a huge feat," said Vijayan.

"We (FC Kochin) had also defeated (Mohun) Bagan in the final," he said. "And like Marcus, I was also the top-scorer in the tournament. I had scored 11 goals. What I like most about Marcus is that he not just scores goals, but sets them up as well; and that's what a striker has to do."