HERO I-LEAGUE: Gokulam and Arrows share honors in dour contest

by FC Admin February 16, 2019

Kozhikode, February 16, 2019: Gokulam Kerala FC extended their winless run to three months after a 1-1 draw with Indian Arrows at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Saturday.

Rahul K.P. scored for Arrows in the first half. Trinidadian striker Marcu Leric Joseph’s second half goal denied Arrows a repeat result of the previous leg. It was his fourth goal in as many games.

The game was a dour affair as both teams played without inspiration. The fact that both teams are already out of the reckoning for the title must have contributed to it.

Gokulam is 10th in the league table after 16 games and Arrows is on seventh after 18 games.

Floyd Pinto’s Arrows made four changes to their starting XI from the previous game. They brought back Prabhsukan Gill in goal for Samik Mitra who had started in the game against Chennai.

Deepak Tangri, Rahim Ali and Rahul KP replaced Jitendra Singh, Suresh Singh, and Ninthoi in the playing XI.

Gokulam under the tutelage of Technical Director Gift Raikhan made only one change, with Suhair replacing Brazilian midfielder Guilherme Castro.

Arrows withstood early pressure from Gokulam and took the lead in the 22nd minute through Rahul K.P.

Ashish Rai delivered the cross from the right flank to Rahim Ali positioned inside the box, wide on the left. Rahim brought down a cushioned header towards Rahul, who made a run from the middle of the box. The ball landed to Rahul who had to check his run with his back towards goal. He swiveled and volleyed on the turn to beat keeper Arnab Das Sharma all ends up.

Arrows took the one-goal lead into the break.

Gokulam got the equalizer in the 64th minute through Joseph — the top scorer of the Trinidadian pro-league.

Substitute Arjun Jayaraj made the initial foray with a run down the left of the box. His ball intended for Marcus was cut-off by the Arrows defence. It came back off a defender and fell to Joseph who drilled the ball home with a left-footed strike.

Fabian denied Arrows the second goal in the 70th minute with a brilliant goalline save.

Joseph — the ‘Hero of the Game’ — missed a golden chance to win the game in the dying moments.

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