KOCHI: When Joby Justin landed in Kolkata in 2017, football greeted him at every nook and corner. It flowed through tea stalls, sparked animated debates between strangers, and echoed through packed stadium galleries. With time, the Kerala-born footballer would get exposed to the city’s passion for the sport, which was unlike anything he had experienced before.Nearly a decade later, Kolkata has turned Justin into a hardened professional. And last Sunday was the most defining moment of his career. Diamond Harbour FC, a club established in 2020 and captained by Justin, got promoted to the Indian Super League after climbing to the summit of Indian football’s second tier: the IFL. “Really proud of how things have panned out for us in this Indian Football League (IFL) season,” the 32-year-old tells 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 between 2019 and 2022. After a brief stint at Chennayin FC, he joined Diamond Harbour FC in 2023. “Playing professional football in Kolkata grooms you,” he says. “It helps you soak in the pressure of playing big derbies in front of passionate fans.”Over time, the city would become more familiar to him.“I can speak Bangla, though not fluently,” Justin says. “I work at the Accountant General Office near Eden Gardens. Coming here was never a cultural shock for me. Kolkata is like a home away from home. People here have been very welcoming.”At Diamond Harbour, Justin would become part of a footballing revolution masterminded by manager Kibu Vicuna, whom players call “the boss.”“He rallied and identified 40 to 50 players, groomed them and made them tactically aware of the finer nuances of the game. Our biggest strength has been our bench strength.”Under the Spaniard, Diamond Harbour embraced an aggressive brand of football. The team lined up in a fluid 4-3-3 system that allowed players freedom to express themselves while maintaining tactical discipline.“The coach gave us the freedom to be more fluid in our play. The pressing style of football worked in our favour,” the right winger explains.This relentless pressing game became the identity of a team that consistently overwhelmed opponents. At the apex of the pyramid stood Justin, whose impact extended beyond scoring goals. Leading the squad as a centre forward, he emerged as the team’s chief creator, while bringing experience and leadership to an otherwise youthful squad.The defining trait was their refusal to surrender, even in the face of adversity.The clash against Dempo SC perfectly captured that spirit.Diamond Harbour needed just a point to secure the IFL crown. Yet, nerves crept in when Marcus Joseph handed the Goan side the lead. Lesser teams might have crumbled under the pressure. Diamond Harbour responded with composure, finding the crucial equaliser in injury time through Hugo Diaz to seal their promotion.“This never-say-die spirit has been one of the biggest reasons for our stellar season,” Justin explains.Ironically, the campaign began in disappointment. Diamond Harbour lost their opening match against Sreenidhi Deccan. But even then, Vicuña’s response revealed an ice-cool approach that would define the season.“He didn’t chide us after that defeat,” Justin recalls. “Instead, he said we played well. He told us it’s a long season ahead and asked us to forget about that game.”The calmness filtered through the squad.After an unforgettable season, the Thiruvananthapuram native longs for something beyond trophies.“It’s been a strenuous 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,” Justin adds.He returns not merely as a footballer from Kerala, but as one of the architects behind Indian football’s most compelling tales.
