Gokulam Kerala FC become first team to win back-to-back Hero I-League titles

Gokulam Kerala FC – 2 (Rashid 49′, Emil Benny 60′)
Beat
Mohammedan SC – 1 (Azharuddin Mallick 56′)
Gokulam Kerala held onto their nerves and created history by becoming the first-ever side to win two successive Hero I-League titles after their win against Mohammedan SC, here at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium tonight. A narrow 2-1 victory on hostile territory saw the Malabarians win the game and win the title with a six point advantage, also ending Mohammedan’s seven-game unbeaten streak in the process.
Mohammedan needed a win to lift the title while Gokulam needed a draw at least to get their hands on the trophy. The stadium filled up as fans of the Black and White Brigade were buzzing and backing their team to attack. Building on the morale boosting support, Mohammedan dominated the possession in the first half while Gokulam seemed content trying their luck on the counter.
The only effort on target in the first half came from an Andelo Rudovic freekick. The Bosnian’s effort was curling away from Rakshit Dagar but lacked power. As a result, the Gokulam shot-stopper palmed it away to safety. At the other end, Zothanmawia almost committed a huge blunder as he came charging out almost towards the middle third to stop Jourdain Fletcher on the counter. The Jamaican beat the keeper but failed to keep his long-ranger on target.

All the goals came in the second half, in the span of eleven minutes. Four minutes into the second-half, the deadlock was broken as Rishad came pacing down the middle and made his finish look easy as he slotted it past Zothanmawia to give his side a crucial lead. Seven minutes later, Marcus Joseph’s freekick picked up a hefty deflection off Azharuddin Mallick and hit the back of the net.
Mohammedan needed another goal for the title but the third and final goal of the match was netted by the Malabarians. Just four minutes after the equaliser, Luka Majcen played Emil Benny through on goal and Benny replicated the finish for the first goal as Gokulam led and held onto the advantage till the full-time whistle.
Gokulam did not just become the first team to win back-to-back Hero I-League titles. The Malabarians also added another feather to the cap of Kerala football. Earlier this month, in a similar encounter, Kerala defeated Bengal on penalties to win the 75th Hero Santosh Trophy in their own backyard. Two victories that are guaranteed to inspire the already prospering grassroot football in the state.
The winners of the Hero I-League will get a prize sum of INR 1 Crore, while the second, third and fourth-placed teams in the table will get a sum of Rs 60Lakhs, 40Lakhs, and 25lakhs respectively. The list of the individual awards along with the prize money follows below.
Highest goal scorer (Rs 2.5 lakhs) – Marcus Joseph (Mohammedan SC)
Hero Moto Corp Best goalkeeper (Rs 2.5 lakhs) – Bhaskar Roy (Rajasthan United)
Hero Moto Corp Jarnail Singh Award for best defender (Rs 2.5 lakhs) – Bouba Aminou (Gokulam Kerala FC)
Best midfielder (Rs 2.5 lakhs)– Jithin MS (Gokulam Kerala FC)
Best emerging player (U-22) (Rs 2.5 lakhs) – Jiteshwor Singh (Neroca FC)
Syed Abdul Rahim Award for best coach – Vincenzo Annese (Gokulam Kerala FC)
Hero Moto Corp Hero of the league (Rs 5 lakhs) – Marcus Joseph (Mohammedan SC)
Credits: I-League Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: AIFF congratulates Gokulam Kerala FC
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
MFA Super League: Group standings, October fixtures are out
October fixtures for MFA Super League are out. Check out the current group standings and brace yourself for thrilling clashes with the new fixtures. As the echoes of thrilling September…
St. Patrick’s High School, Jharkhand defend their Junior (U 17) Girls Subroto Cup title
New Delhi, September 26, 2023: St. Patrick’s High School, Gumla, Jharkhand defended their title in the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U 17) Girls Inter School International Football Tournament defeating G.S.S.S Alakhpura,…
Mumbai City FC shifts AFC Champions League home fixture against Al Hilal to Navi Mumbai
Mumbai City FC recently announced the relocation of their group stage home fixture against Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal from Pune to Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil stadium. This strategic…
Igor Stimac names 26 probables for Merdeka Cup 2023
Senior Men’s National Team Head Coach Igor Stimac, on Friday, September 29, 2023, named a list of 26 probables for the Merdeka Cup 2023, to be played in Malaysia from…
We need to play as a cohesive unit against Saudi Arabia, says Sunil Chhetri
NEW DELHI: Sunil Chhetri is aware of the problems the India Men’s team are facing during their current Asian Games campaign in Hangzhou. He is also conscious of India’s dismal track…
Bengaluru FC take on in-form Mohun Bagan SG with scores to settle from 2022-23 final
Bengaluru FC will travel to Kolkata to square off against the Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a repeat of the final of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 at the…
Indian team for AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers announced
A 14-member Indian Men’s National futsal squad was announced on Sunday, October 1, 2023, for the AFC Futsal Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers in Tajikistan, in which India will be participating…
Hugo heroics help Mohun Bagan SG nudge past 9-man Bengaluru FC
Mohun Bagan SG rode on goal from Hugo Boumous to beat Bengaluru FC by a slender 1-0 margin in a grueling contest at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata The…
FC Goa fans eagerly await a season of resurgence and victory in ISL
Goa, September 26, 2023: With the anticipation of the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) season growing stronger, FC Goa’s ardent fans have voiced their excitement and expectations for the club’s…
Om Saidham SM secure convincing victory over Soccer Saga SA
26th September 2023, Neville D’souza Ground – In a thrilling MFA Super League encounter, Om Saidham SM emerged victorious with a commanding 4-1 win over Soccer Saga SA. The match…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…
Sunday Boys to hold trials for MFA 1st Division
MFA 1st division side Sunday Boys FC will be conducting trials in the first week of November for the upcoming football season Sunday Boys Football Club was established in the…