Defending champions Gokulam Kerala made it two wins in two matches as they beat hosts Aizawl FC in their I-League encounter at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Friday.
Aizawl, who earned a draw in their last game against TRAU FC, were again guilty of missing a number of chances as Thahir Zaman’s 87th-minute strike was enough for Gokulam Kerala to earn a hard-fought win against the former champions.
Arjun Jayaraj played a lovely long ball from right three minutes from the regulation time and substitute Zaman made no mistake to head it past Aizawl goalkeeper Vikram Lahkbir Singh. The win helped Gokulam move to the top of the table with six points from three matches while Aizawl dropped to eighth place.
Earlier, with Argentine forward Matias Veron suspended because of the red card in the last match, K Lalrinfela partnered Henry Kisekka upfront.
However, it was Gokulam who dominated the game in the initial phases of the game. As the game progressed, Aizawl started to find their footing and Kisekka had a shot at goal from the left flank two minutes from the water break. To the home fans’ dismay, it went wide.
After the change of ends, the People’s Club continued to press further and came close to scoring on a number of occasions.
First, R Ramdinthara couldn’t keep his shot in control in the 53rd minute. Then a minute later Nigerian Emmanuel Makinde tried to head in a corner but it just skimmed past the post. In the 76th minute, R Lalthanmawia also tried a right-footed curler, but his shot went straight at the Gokulam goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil.
Despite Aizawl pressing hard, the visitors held on firmly and eventually scored the winner to break the hearts of the home fans.
NEROCA win: In the other match of the day, hosts NEROCA FC beat Sudeva Delhi thanks to Jourdain Fletcher’s 62-minute strike at Khuman Lampak Stadium in Imphal.
Nonganba Singh Akoijam played the ball from the right flank towards Fletcher standing just outside the box. The Jamaican controlled the ball well before curling it into the net with his left foot giving no chance to Sudeva goalkeeper Sachin Jha to react.
Having lost their opener, NEROCA would be more than happy to grab all the three points on offer at home. As for the Delhi outfit, they will be really disappointed with their second loss in as many matches. They kept creating chances but were wasteful in front of the goal.
