Gokulam Kerala FC eked out a valuable point away from Real Kashmir FC while hosts Aizawl FC leaft debutants SC Bengaluru empty-handed in I-League fixtures on Friday night.
At the TRC Football Turf, Gokulam Kerala FC drew level after coming back from an early deficit .
Gritty Gokulam
The hosts led by a goal at half-time, before Gokulam equalised late in the second half to earn a 1-1 draw.
It didn’t take the hosts too long to score the opener.
In fact, the goal came so early that Gokulam players barely had their blood circulation going.
With less than 120 seconds on the clock, the Snow Leopards won a throw on the right flank.
A long throw by Mohammad Aqib followed which was met perfectly by a rising Cameroonian Bouba Aminou whose glancing back-header gave them the lead.
The defender scored against his former team who he represented for three seasons and won an I-League title with.
The first half was littered with chances for Real Kashmir to extend that lead, as they constantly miscued shots, headers and gave away half chances at goal.
Senegalese striker Karim Samb missed a few including an open header from a corner and a one-on-one with the goalkeeper.
Gokulam picked up the pieces in the second half and slowly started edging their way back into the game.
While Kashmir remained reliant and dangerous via the aerial route, Gokulam passed it around slickly only to fail in the final third.
It was ironic then that it was an aerial ball that undid a tight Real Kashmir defence and drew the Malabarians level.
A free kick from the left went through an entire melee of defenders before Athul Unnikrishnan poked it home at the far post in the 76th minute. It was the first time in four I-League away trips that Gokulam Kerala managed to score a goal in Srinagar.
A dominant Aizawl FC
Elsewhere, In Aizaawl, Aizawl FC celebrated their first victory of the 2024-25 I-League season overcoming a beleaguered 10-man SC Bengaluru 2-0 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Friday.
Goalkeeper S Bordoloi mishandled a back pass from left-back Shanid Valan, which led to an own goal, giving Aizawl a rather unexpected lead.
Bengaluru’s hopes were dashed when Oinam Sanatomba Singh received a red card. (Photo Credit: I-League)
Valan’s intended pass back to Bordoloi lacked precision, and despite the goalkeeper’s desperate dive, he couldn’t prevent the ball from crossing the line.
The own goal boosted Aizawl’s confidence, and they intensified their attacks, looking to extend their lead.
Lalrinzuala had an excellent opportunity to score but his shot, after a clever feint that left the goal at his mercy, frustratingly missed the target.
SC Bengaluru, trying to claw their way back into the game, came close when substitute Arjun Gouda’s powerful attempt struck the woodwork, denying them a much-needed equaliser.
The match saw Aizawl capitalise on a defensive blunder by Bengaluru for the opening goal in the first half, while Lalhriatpuia Lalrinfela added a second in the dying minutes to ensure all three points.
SC Bengaluru entered the match under pressure, having suffered a 1-0 defeat against Inter Kashi in their opener.
In contrast, following a draw against Dempo SC in their first match, Aizawl FC were pegged as favourites and quickly demonstrated why, asserting control and keeping the possession largely in their favour.
The home crowd’s support seemed to invigorate Aizawl, who started the match with high intensity.
Despite a strong start from Aizawl, Bengaluru initially managed to hold their own.
Their defence, well-organised at the onset, successfully thwarted Aizawl’s early advances. However, the match’s dynamics changed dramatically in the 21st minute due to a costly error by Bengaluru’s defence.
The match was effectively sealed in the 89th minute when Lalrinfela received the ball just outside the box and unleashed a fierce strike that found the back of the net, doubling Aizawl’s lead and cementing their dominance.
Bengaluru’s hopes were further dashed when Oinam Sanatomba Singh received a red card for a rough challenge on Zomuansanga in the added minutes of the match, reducing the visitors to 10 men and compounding their troubles.
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