Thiruvananthapuram  :

His curly hairdo kept back with a sweatband, Jobby Justin is sure to grab more attention than any of his teammates while lining up to play football. But with his skills and ability to create goal-scoring opportunities on the field, it is hard not to notice that there is more to this youngster than style.

In the ongoing 10th SBT G V Raja All-India Football Tournament here, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) reached the final overcoming tournament favourites AG’s Office in the semifinal and Jobby was instrumental in scoring a couple and assisting four goals.

Having joined KSEB only four months ago, the 21-year-old has already established a place in KSEB’s midfield.

“He is a very hard worker with immense talent and a powerful shot in him,” says M Rajeev Kumar, coach of KSEB.

For a player who has only recently made the switch from the flanks as a wing back to the midfield, Jobby has adapted very well. “I love playing in midfield helping teammates to score and scoring a few myself. The coach has given me all the freedom to play which helps a lot,” Jobby said.

Jobby grew up playing football on the beaches of Vettucaud but did not take the game seriously until his eighth standard when he joined St Joseph’s HSS. Playing for St Mary’s Club, he was already being noticed in the city’s football circles.

“I was fortunate enough to learn under footballers like Sylvester Ignatius, Earnest and Vinu Jose,” Jobby said. After joining MG College here, the youngster continued to appear in tournaments including TNIE GOAL 2013.

Soon, the opportunity to represent Kerala under-19 team came in the Junior National Championship held at Kolkata. As a wing back, he also finished runners-up in the all-India inter-university tournament with the Kerala University before signing as a guest player for Travancore Titanium last year before joining KSEB.

“We are a young team, but the seniors are always helping and motivating us. There is a winning mentality in the team,” Jobby said. But his biggest challenge yet would come on Monday when he plays the live-wire of KSEB midfield against the intimidating opposition of State Bank of Travancore in the final of the GV Raja tournament.

And the youngster has only one target set in his mind for Monday. “We have reached this far. So there is no question other than going all out to win the tournament,” Jobby said.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Adwaidh Rajan / June 02nd, 2014