In a contest that remained finely balanced throughout, both sides showed attacking intent but struggled to find the finishing touch. Gokulam Kerala made a bright start, with Thabiso Nelson Brown testing Rajasthan’s goalkeeper Bhabindra Malla Thakuri early on, while also enjoying more of the ball in the opening stages.

Rajasthan gradually grew into the game and began to create opportunities of their own. Amadou Soukouna was at the heart of their attacking play, first setting up Jonathan Fernandes before testing the goalkeeper himself with a curling effort. The hosts came closest just before the break, with Soukouna striking the crossbar and Fernandes seeing his acrobatic attempt denied, as Gokulam’s defence held firm.

The second half continued in a similar fashion, with chances at both ends but no breakthrough. Gokulam came close through substitute Benjamin Thomas Kuku, only for Malla Thakuri to produce a crucial save. Rajasthan responded with renewed attacking intent, as Thomyo Shimray and Isaac Nortey looked to unlock the defence.

With the match seemingly heading towards a stalemate, the decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time. Substitute Naoba Meitei cut in from the left and fired a right-footed strike towards the near post, catching the goalkeeper off guard and sending the home crowd into celebration.

Gokulam Kerala pushed forward in the closing seconds in search of an equaliser, but Rajasthan United held their ground to secure a hard-fought victory. The result lifts Rajasthan to second place in the standings, marking a crucial step in their campaign.

Mumbai Premier League News – Click Here

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Meitei’s Last-Gasp Heroics Seal Dramatic Win for Rajasthan United appeared first on Football Counter.

The hosts took control of the game early and found the breakthrough just before the 20-minute mark. Moses Lalrinzuala showcased individual brilliance, weaving past two defenders before drilling a low left-footed strike into the net to give Gokulam the lead.

Gokulam continued to dominate possession and looked the more threatening side going forward. They came close to doubling their advantage through Trijoy Das and Thabiso Brown, with the latter seeing his header crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Dempo struggled to break through a well-organised defence, with their best chance comfortably dealt with by goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil.

The second half saw Gokulam maintain control, though Dempo had a chance to stay in the game when the hosts were awarded a penalty early after the restart. However, Ashish Sibi produced a fine save to deny Brown from the spot.

Despite that setback, Gokulam continued to push forward and eventually sealed the result in the closing stages. Mirjalol Kasimov won a penalty himself and stepped up to convert it emphatically, smashing the ball into the top corner to make it 2–0.

Dempo showed some late urgency in stoppage time, creating a few chances, but Shibinraj stood firm with key saves to preserve the clean sheet.

A composed and dominant display ensured Gokulam Kerala walked away with all three points, marking an important milestone in their campaign.

Mumbai Premier League News – Click Here

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Gokulam Kerala Secure First Win with Convincing 2–0 Victory Over Dempo appeared first on Football Counter.

The first half was largely dominated by midfield battles, with both teams struggling to create clear scoring chances. Defensive discipline from both sides kept the attackers quiet, and opportunities mainly came from set-pieces. Sreenidi’s David Castañeda and Hadi Idrissou both came close from corners, while Gokulam also threatened in similar situations but failed to convert.

Sreenidi Deccan started the second half with greater attacking intent and finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Castañeda managed to work the ball inside the box despite being closely marked and squared it across the goalmouth, where Fabrice Kah reacted quickest to bundle the ball into the net.

The visitors nearly doubled their advantage soon after when Abhijith K. found space inside the penalty area, but his effort lacked power and was easily dealt with. Gokulam Kerala tried to respond but struggled to break through the organised Sreenidi defence.

Despite pushing forward in the closing stages, the home side failed to create any clear opportunities as Kamaljit Singh remained largely untested in goal.

Sreenidi Deccan eventually held on to their slender lead to claim an important victory, moving provisionally to the top of the table, while Gokulam Kerala were left searching for their first win of the season.

Mumbai Premier League News – Click Here

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Fabrice Kah Strike Hands Sreenidi Deccan 1–0 Win Over Gokulam Kerala appeared first on Football Counter.

Gokulam Kerala started the match strongly and dominated possession in the opening stages. Captain Francisco Perdomo Borges controlled the midfield well and dictated the tempo for the hosts as they pushed forward in search of the opener.

Their persistence paid off in the 33rd minute when Borges delivered a precise pass to Thabiso Nelson Brown. The forward made the most of the opportunity, producing a brilliant finish to give Gokulam Kerala a deserved 1-0 lead.

Namdhari attempted to respond before the break, stepping up their attacking intensity in the closing moments of the first half. However, the Gokulam defence remained organised and the hosts carried their slender advantage into half-time.

The second half saw a shift in momentum as Namdhari began to find more space down the wings and gradually increased their attacking threat. Head coach Harpreet Singh introduced Abdoulaye Diallo in an attempt to add more urgency to the forward line.

The substitution proved effective as Namdhari found the equaliser in the 73rd minute. Diallo delivered a well-timed assist that allowed Seilenthang Lotjem to calmly finish and bring the visitors level at 1-1.

Both teams pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages of the match. Gokulam introduced fresh legs late on while Namdhari continued to threaten on the counter. With six minutes of added time played, the game opened up with end-to-end action, but neither side could find the decisive breakthrough.

The final whistle confirmed a 1-1 draw, with both teams sharing the points after an entertaining and closely fought encounter in Manjeri.

Mumbai Premier League News – Click Here

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Gokulam Kerala and Namdhari Share Points in 1–1 IFL Stalemate appeared first on Football Counter.

The opening goal came in the first half when a deflected shot fell kindly to Albert Torras, who made no mistake and fired it home with precision. Gokulam doubled their lead in the second half through Samuel Kynshi, who finished off a calm assist inside the box with a simple tap-in. Their dominance continued, and the third goal arrived late in the game as Juan reacted quickest to a rebound after the Mohammedan goalkeeper’s save, slotting the ball calmly into the net.

Despite the scoreline, Mohammedan SC showed moments of promise and continued to push forward in search of a goal. They created several half-chances through quick passing and counter-attacks but struggled to find the final touch against Gokulam’s disciplined backline.

With this win, Gokulam Kerala wrapped up their Super Cup journey with pride and confidence. Though qualification to the next round wasn’t possible, their fearless football, attacking intent, and solid display against a strong Mohammedan side reflect the team’s growing potential and determination to rise higher in Indian football.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Gokulam Kerala End Super Cup Campaign in Style with 3-0 Win Over Mohammedan SC appeared first on Football Counter.

Bengaluru wasted no time in stamping their authority on the game. In the seventh minute, Ryan Williams opened the scoring after a precise through ball from Sirojiddin Kuziev sliced open the Gokulam defence. The early goal gave Gerard Zaragoza’s men the momentum to push forward relentlessly.

Just before half-time, Bengaluru doubled their advantage through Vinith Venkatesh, who calmly finished off a smart link-up move involving Taorem Kelvin Singh. The Blues went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead and full control of proceedings.

The second half brought more of the same dominance. Ryan Williams struck again just two minutes after the restart, slotting in his second of the night to make it 3-0. The scoring was completed in the 61st minute when captain Sunil Chhetri found the net, converting a well-worked team move to put the result beyond doubt.

Gokulam Kerala, despite flashes of effort, found it difficult to cope with Bengaluru’s pace, movement and pressing. Their backline was under constant pressure, and chances at the other end were few and far between.

With this emphatic win, Bengaluru FC move to six points in Group C, matching Punjab FC in both points and goal difference. The two sides will now face off in a decisive final group fixture to determine who advances to the semi-finals.

For Bengaluru, this performance was a perfect blend of control, precision, and intent — a reminder of the quality and experience that makes them one of India’s most formidable sides.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Ruthless Bengaluru FC Crush Gokulam Kerala to Set Up Semifinal Decider appeared first on Football Counter.

The game burst into life almost immediately, as Punjab seized control within minutes of kick off. A swift move down the left saw Muhammad Suhail send in a dangerous cross that took an unfortunate deflection off Gokulam defender Gursimrat Singh and rolled into his own net, giving Punjab an early lead.

The ISL side continued to dictate the tempo, pressing high and exploiting space with their sharp movement. Their second goal arrived soon after, when Nikhil Prabhu timed his leap perfectly to head home from a corner, punishing Gokulam’s shaky defending once again.

Despite a brief spell where Gokulam threatened through Eduardo Martínez, whose free kick clipped the crossbar, Punjab remained in complete control. Just before half time, they added a third. Suhail, once again at the heart of the move, set up Princeton Rebello, who unleashed a precise strike past Shibinraj Kunniyil to make it 3-0 in before the interval.

The second half saw Gokulam attempt to restore some pride, with Juan Carlos Rico Azorín and Alfred Moya pushing forward in search of a breakthrough. However, Punjab goalkeeper Arshdeep Singh stood firm, producing key saves to keep his clean sheet intact.

Gokulam’s frustrations boiled over late in the match when substitute Trijoy Dias was sent off for a reckless high boot in the 85th minute, capping off a night to forget for the Kerala side.

For Punjab FC, it was a statement performance, disciplined, clinical, and full of intent, as they strengthened their position in the group and showcased the quality that has made them one of the most organized sides in the competition.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Punjab FC Outclass Gokulam Kerala in the Super Cup Group C tie appeared first on Football Counter.

The match commenced with Gokulam Kerala exhibiting their intent, immediately launching an attack as Sourav unleashed the first shot of the game. Unfortunately, his attempt soared above the crossbar, failing to trouble the opposition’s goalkeeper.

As the game progressed, Nili Perdomo aimed to break the deadlock with a free-kick opportunity. However, his execution left much to be desired, as the ball sailed over the goal post, resulting in a mere goal kick.

The pivotal moment arrived in the 37th minute when Gokulam Kerala capitalized on a defensive lapse by IAF. An unexpected error by Shibin, the IAF goalkeeper, allowed Sourav’s seemingly straightforward shot to find the back of the net, handing Gokulam Kerala a lead they were more than willing to embrace.

In the second half, Gokulam Kerala’s momentum remained unshaken. In the 68th minute, Shreekuttan VS showcased his skill as he beautifully curled the ball into the net, extending Gokulam’s lead and sending their fans into jubilation.

Despite their efforts, IAF struggled to break through Gokulam Kerala’s resolute defense. At the other end, Alejandro Sanchez’s promising attempt was thwarted by Shibin’s exceptional save.

As the final whistle resonated through the stadium, Gokulam Kerala FC celebrated a well-earned victory with a 2-0 scoreline. The win propels them to a confident start in the Durand Cup, securing three crucial points.

Also Read: “We’re using this tournament to prepare us for the AFC Champions League,” says Des Buckingham after a strong start to Durand Cup

Also Read: Mumbai City’s commanding 5-0 win places them firmly at Group B summit

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football

The post Gokulam Kerala kick off Durand Cup campaign with a convincing 2-0 win over Indian Air Force appeared first on Football Counter.

The striker, who parted ways with Gokulam Kerala FC recently, has penned down a short-term contract with the ‘Mumbaikars’.

He will be Kenkre’s second foreign signing for the season after Ivory Coast player Ben Ibrahim Ouattara. They had an all-Indian squad including an Indian head coach, Akhil Kothari, in the initial stages of the League

Somlaga appeared in nine games for the ‘Malabarians’ earlier this season scoring and assisting one time. After the club’s appointment of their new head coach Francesc Bonet, the youngster had to eventually leave the club as he was not in the manager’s plans.

The Cameroonian is an interesting addition to the Kenkre FC attack after having signed a striker already. Auguste is a versatile player, having the ability to play in the flanks alongside his natural position of striker. It will be interesting to see how Somlaga and Ben Ibrahim lead the line for the ‘Mumbaikars’. Both being strikers, we may see these two striking up a fire combination at the top of the Kenkre attack.

Kenkre FC has had an uneven season yet a decent start so far as they are placed 10th in the I-league table eight points above the relegation spot which is currently held by Sudeva Delhi. Not much was expected from Kenkre after the club had technically relegated from I-league last season but were granted the immunity by AIFF to continue in the league after a withdrawal of another club.

Yet with majority local resources and a shoe string budget, the club looks to be floating just about right for the season

Also Read: Goals and Drama in MFA elite division: A recap of the latest action

Also Read: MFA Elite Division resumes with a Bang: Round-up of the Latest Matches

The post Kenkre FC rope in former Gokulam Kerala striker Auguste Somlaga appeared first on Football Counter.

A greater prize awaits at the finish line for the teams as the champions of this year’s campaign will get promotion to the Indian Super League 2023-24 edition after the AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey confirmed the same.

The match week 1 of the Hero I-league 2022-23 which included some fierce battles, comes to an end, we take a look through the major happenings from the past week.

Defending champs begin with a victory 

In the opening fixture of the Hero I-league 2022-23, defending champions Gokulam Kerala FC defeated Mohammedan SC at the Manjeri Payyanad Stadium 1-0 to kick off their campaign on the perfect note.

The score remained 0-0 after an end-to-end first half. Gokulam Kerala FC broke the deadlock in the 57th minute of the game. Their new forward signing Cameroonian Auguste Somlaga’s shot from outside the box slipped through the hands of Mohammedan custodian Zothanmawia and the ball crossed the goal line. Mohammedan SC, who are also considered as a strong contenders for the title this season having just missed the title last season finishing in 2nd spot, will have to take a look into their defense as they allowed Gokulam multiple chances inside the box in an highly physical contest.

RoundGlass Punjab FC come out on top against the Sreenidhi Deccan FC

RoundGlass Punjab FC kicked off their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 victory against Sreenidhi Deccan FC on Sunday, November 14 at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana.

RoundGlass Punjab FC took the lead in the 23rd minute through Luka Majcen. Brandon Vanlalremdika chipped in a cross for the Slovenian who smartly placed it beyond the keeper via his near post. Samuel Lalmuanpuia’s free-kick goal in the 43rd minute doubled the lead for the side from Punjab. The midfielder took the freekick which was awarded after Luka Majcen was brought down at the edge of the penalty area.

A positive start for Roundglass Punjab with two first-half goals however manner in which they conceded in the second half would be something they would want to avoid. Sreenidhi Deccan’s consolation goal came in the 58th minute from Shahabaaz Khan after Freddy failed to clear his line allowing Rosenberg Gabriel to send in a cross which despite the best efforts from Kiran Linmu was not enough.

10-man Rajasthan United FC defeats Churchill Brothers FC Goa 

In another high-intensity game, Rajasthan United FC got the better of Churchill Brothers FC Goa 2-1 to start their campaign with a win. The Rajasthan outfit has been on an upward run ever since they made their presence in the national league and after some solid transfer season, the clubs look ready to battle it out against the best in the league.

Martin Chavas looks like a great acquisition for the club. The 24-year-old Uruguayan setup both goals for his side and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions himself. This was the second time these two sides faced each other this season with the earlier fixture coming in the Baji Rout Cup 2022 final which the Desert Warriors trumped as the champions.

Rajasthan United FC took the lead in the 29th minute of the game through Melroy Assisi off a Martin Chaves corner. Abdoulaye Sane then found the back of the net in the stoppage time of the first half and brought the red machines back in the game.

Despite starting off brightly, the goan outfit failed to finish off the final third as they were soon left to rue their chance with the Rajasthan finding the net for the second time in the game. Britto PM received a brilliant back-heel pass from Martin Chaves and curled a first-time shot into the back of the net.

Rajasthan defender Hardik Bhat was sent off in the 84th minute after receiving his second yellow card which gave Churchill a numerical advantage, though, they couldn’t capitalize.

Kenkre No Pushovers this time

Having finished bottom of the table last season, Kenkre were given a lifeline to survive relegation after they were reinstated to I League season by AIFF. The closure of the Indian Arrows project played a major part in their reinstatement.

The Mumbai outfit showcased they belong and are no pushovers this time around as they displayed some courage going forward in attack while displaying gritty defensive performance. Playing with an all-Indian playing XI, Kenkre defeated Sudeva Delhi FC to open their points tally from the very first game.

One of the brightest prospects from Mumbai, Azza Noorani who made his league debut capped off the occasion with a clean strike behind the Sudeva Keeper to score the winner for his side. Earlier in the day Faiz Khan too had scored his maiden I League goal. A competitive Kenkre side and good season in I league will bode well for Mumbai Football.

Positive start for Real Kashmir under Wadoo, Aizwal, TRAU share spoils

Real Kashmir FC began the I-League season on a winning note, beating hosts Neroca FC 1-0. Having parted ways with David Robertson who had been with the club for 6 years, Real Kashmir had signed former India International Mehrajuddin Wadoo, who hails from Kashmir himself.

The first half of the match at Khuman Lampak Stadium was dominated by the Kashmir side and Neroca FC was slow to get off the blocks. Despite RKFC’s intent, the deadlock could not be broken and the scoreline remained 0-0 at halftime. It was Issahak Nuhu’s excellent 53rd-minute strike that sealed all three points for new head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s team. A tougher test awaits ahead and it will be interesting to see how the clubs goes forward.

Meanwhile at the picturesque Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl, Mizoram the spoils were shared between Aizawl FC and TRAU FC as the game ended 1-1. A goal in each half by Sagolsem Bikash Singh and K Lalrinfela for TRAU and Aizawl, respectively, meant that the two sides went home with a point each, as per a press release from the I-League.

Also Read: Rampant Mumbai City FC win 4-0 as Bengaluru FC misery deepens with fourth consecutive loss

Also Read: Bharat football academy launched in Bangalore

The post I-League Roundup: Kenkre starts brightly, Defending Champs Gokulam mean business appeared first on Football Counter.