KOLKATA: For a tournament that looked like a foregone conclusion with Gokulam Kerala racing away towards retaining the title with a 21-match unbeaten run, the defending champions from Kozhikode gave the 2021-2022 season of I-League a dramatic twist with a loss in the penultimate round five days ago.
Provided a lifeline, Mohammedan Sporting sensed their moment on Saturday. The Salt Lake Stadium with the presence of 41,000 home spectators represented a cauldron of emotions, sensing history was in the making. However, Vincenzo Alberto Annese's team reminded Mohammedan Sporting of the proverbial gap between the cup and the lip as Gokulam Kerala beat the Kolkata side 2-1 to become the first team to defend the I-League.
Following a barren first half, Rishad put the defending champions ahead in the 49th minute. However, Mohammedan Sporting's response was imminent when Marcus Joseph's free-kick was deflected off second-half substitute Azharuddin Mallick's shoulder and went in past a helpless Gokulam goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar seven minutes later. Annese's team silenced the crowd with their second goal on the hour mark, Emil Benny providing the finishing touch.
