Gokulam Kerala outshine Mohammedan Sporting to book Hero Super Cup Group Stage spot
MANJERI: Gokulam Kerala FC booked their place in the Group Stage of the Hero Super Cup when they made short work of formidable Mohammedan Sporting 5-2 in the qualifying encounter at the Payyanad Stadium on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.
A match that looked like a close battle till the one-hour mark proved to be a completely one-sided affair in the end as the Mohammedan defence caved in to allow the Gokulam strikers often a free run. In the end, the Malabarians were deserving winners as they were quick to avail the chances that came their way.
Gokulam shot into the lead in the 10th minute when their Spanish midfielder Omar Ramos received the ball in the rival box and could cut in to beat the Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Mithun Samanta and place the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Given the trend of the proceedings then, the Kolkata side were not far behind the local favourites in terms of exchanges and attacks. Their persistent attempts finally paid dividends in the 27th minute. The visitors played a fair amount of passes in the Gokulam area before Nigerian forward Abiola Dauda sidestepped his marker to beat Shibinraj Kunnyil under the Gokulam bar.
The start of the second half saw a flurry of activities with goals coming at both ends in fairly quick succession. Gokulam regained the lead soon after the breather, in the 47th minute. It wasn’t a goal that put the Mohammedan defence in a brighter light. Sourav ran in almost unchecked from the left – once he outwitted a defender on the run, all he had to do was to use the vacant space and then slam past the goalkeeper. His shot to the far post, however, was perfect and left little chance for Samanta.
Not to be outwitted, Mohammedan once again launched attacks and picked up the equaliser only a minute later. Dauda, who always lurked in the area looking for the stray ball, scored his second goal of the day to leave Gokulam frustrated.
But then, Mohammedan euphoria too didn’t last long as Gokulam scored thrice in a span of 21 minutes to take complete control of the proceedings. While Afghan recruit Farshad Noor made a solo run deep into the box before finding the target in the 64th minute, Thahir Zaman and Abdul Hakku scored two more goals to give it the true colour of a rout.
If the little over three thousand spectators, who thronged the stadium, left a satisfied lot, then there were enough reasons behind that. Gokulam, who earlier this season lost the battle for a third straight Hero I-League title, have made it through to Group C alongside ATK Mohun Bagan, FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC.
Also Read: Arya More brace helps Maharashtra book final round berth
Also Read: The language of football helps me at Dinamo, says Indian winger Soumya Guguloth
I-League 2: MH Oranje FC flares an important 3-0 victory over Sporting Goa in an crucial encounter
Maharashtra Oranje FC returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win over Sporting Goa to lift themselves to 7th spot in the I-League 2 table In a high-stakes I-League 2…
Roundup: Chennaiyin FC win against KBFC as RFYC, Bengaluru FC play gripping draw in RFDL National Group Stage in Mumbai
Mumbai, April 16: Bengaluru FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) played out a goalless draw at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) in Navi Mumbai in the National Group Stage…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
Millat FC win 5-2 to stay in title race, Hope United enters top 3 in the league table
Title contenders Millat FC kept their unbeaten run on with cruising 5-2 win over Kalina Rangers, Hope United picked up a come from behind win. Millat FC rode on Duane…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 1 Preview: Playoffs fever grips the ISL as Odisha FC host Kerala Blasters FC with a semi-final spot at stake
Bhubaneswar, April 18: Odisha FC and Kerala Blasters FC will face each other in the first match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs at the Kalinga Stadium in…
Kerala Blasters FC bag winning momentum before playoffs with solid 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC
Hyderabad, April 12: Kerala Blasters FC ensured that they will enter the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs with a win at their back after defeating Hyderabad FC by 3-1…
Mohun Bagan Super Giant crowned ISL Champions 2023-24 after 2-1 win in title-winning clash against Mumbai City FC
Kolkata, April 15: Mohun Bagan Super Giant became the Indian Super League (ISL) Champions by defeating Mumbai City FC by 2-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight. The…
Attacking talents flourish, defensive stability define league’s best: ISL 2023-24 Statistical Breakdown
The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 league stages rounded off with Mohun Bagan Super Giant becoming the League Champions for the first time in the history of the competition. They…
Ivan Vukomanovic: Seeing Kerala Blasters FC players shine for the national team gives me great satisfaction
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is into his third season in the Indian Super League (ISL) and he has naturally overseen the rise of multiple young players who…
NorthEast United FC end their campaign on a high with feisty 3-0 victory over Odisha FC
Guwahati, April 13: NorthEast United FC bowed out of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 on a high with a resounding 3-0 victory against Odisha FC at the Indira Gandhi…
ISL 2023-24 Knockout 2 Preview – Playoff Fever: FC Goa Hosts Chennaiyin FC in High-Stakes Knockout Battle
Goa, April 19: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoffs reach a fever pitch as FC Goa prepares to host Chennaiyin FC in a high-stakes knockout clash at the iconic…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
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…