Kerala connection behind Diamond Harbour’s ISL flight

KOCHI: When Joby Justin landed in Kolkata in 2017, football greeted him at every corner. It flowed between tea stalls, fueled lively debates between strangers, and echoed through the crowded galleries of stadiums. Over time, the Kerala-born footballer exposed himself to the city’s passion for the sport unlike anything he had experienced before.Almost a decade later, Calcutta has transformed Justin from a hardened professional. And last Sunday was the most important moment of his career. Founded in 2020 and led by Justin, Diamond Harbor FC have been promoted to the Indian Super League after climbing to the top of the second tier of Indian football: the IFL. “Really proud of how we’ve done in this Indian Football League (IFL) season,” the 32-year-old told TOI. “To think that this club was formed just six years ago makes this achievement even more satisfying.”Justin first represented East Bengal from 2017 to 2019 before moving to Mohun Bagan from 2019 to 2022. After a brief stint with Chennaiyin FC, he joined Diamond Harbor FC in 2023. “Playing professional football in Kolkata prepares you,” he says. “It helps you absorb the pressure of playing big derbies in front of passionate fans.Over time, the city became more familiar to him.“I can speak Bengali, though not fluently,” says Justin. “I work in a general accounting office near Eden Gardens. Coming here was never a culture shock for me. Calcutta is like a home away from home. The people here have been very welcoming.”At Diamond Harbour, Justin became part of a football revolution led by manager Kibu Vicuna, whom the players call “The Boss”.“He came together and identified 40 to 50 players, adjusted them and tactically alerted them to the finer nuances of the game. Our biggest strength was bench strength.”Under Spanish management, Diamond Harbor adopted an aggressive brand of football. The team lined up in a fluid 4-3-3 system that allowed the players the freedom to express themselves while maintaining tactical discipline.“The coach gave us the freedom to be more fluid in our game. The pressing style of football worked in our favor,” explains the right winger.This relentless pressing game became the identity of the team, which consistently overpowered the opposition. At the top of the pyramid stood Justin, whose influence went beyond scoring goals. He led the team as a center forward, proving to be the team’s main creator while bringing experience and leadership to an otherwise youthful team.A hallmark was their refusal to give up, even in the face of adversity.The match against Dempo SC captured this spirit perfectly.Diamond Harbor needed just a point to secure the IFL crown. Still, nerves crept in as Marcus Joseph handed the Goans the lead. Smaller teams could crumble under pressure. Diamond Harbor responded with composure and found a vital equalizer in injury time through Hugo Diaz to seal their progress.“That never-say-die spirit was one of the biggest reasons for our stellar season,” explains Justin.Ironically, the campaign got off to a disappointing start. Diamond Harbor lost their opening match against Sreenidhi Deccan. But even then, Vicuño’s response revealed the ice-cold attitude that would define the season.“He didn’t scold us after that defeat,” Justin recalls. “Instead he said we played well. He told us we had a long season ahead of us and asked us to forget about that game.”Calm permeated the team.After a season to remember, the Thiruvananthapuram native is after something beyond trophies.“It’s been a tough season for me,” he says. “After the last league game against Shillong Lajong FC on May 23, I want to go back home and spend time with my family,” adds Justin.He returns not just as a footballer from Kerala, but as one of the architects of the most compelling stories in Indian football.