Kerala deliver killer blow at the endþ

Margao:

Gokulam Kerala

FC left it late to edge past

Churchill Brothers

FC 2-1 and move up the

I-League

table in a fierce encounter at the Nehru Stadium in

Fatorda

on Sunday.

Nathaniel Garcia had given Gokulam Kerala a first-half lead but Churchill fought back with a goal from Lalkhawpumawia in the 72nd minute. It seemed like the teams would settle for a point which wouldn’t do any side any good, until Henry Kisekka struck the match winner in the 90th minute.

The win was good enough for the visitors to surge to the top. From seventh, they are now fifth, tied on 22 points with two others, and just one behind second-placed Punjab FC. The race for the second spot is hugely significant, particularly since ATK are now in the final of the Indian Super League (ISL), and should they win, Mohun Bagan’s assumed champion spot – for AFC Cup -- would be given to the runnersup.

Judging from the early season form, Churchill and Gokulam Kerala should have been challenging for the I-League title. Gokulam Kerala were in terrific form at the start of the season, even winning the Durand Cup without breaking a sweat, while Churchill won three games in a row at the start, including a prized 4-2 scalp of Mohun Bagan in Kolkata. Since then, both teams have gone downhill, unable to catch up with the rest.

With the second spot possibly offering something, the teams knew they needed full points to stake claim. They started positively with end-to-end action and it were the visitors who drew first blood. It was all thanks to some brilliant work from the left by captain Marcus Joseph, and a lazy defence. Joseph worked his way inside the box from the left and essayed the ball into the goalmouth where Garcia was on hand to turn it home.

Churchill were taken aback by the setback. But credit to them for the fightback. They created several chances with Quan Gomes and Ceesay Dawda pulling the strings, although like it has happened so many times in the past, they lacked the cutting edge upfront.

Churchill’s attacking threat increased with the inclusion of Israil Gurung. Along with full-back Lamgoulen Hangshing, they were a terror on the right flank and it was Israil’s freekick that got them level. For most part, Lalkhawpumawia was erratic in front of goal and Gokulam Kerala goalkeeper CK Ubaid was confidence personified. Then in the 72nd minute, roles were reversed. A freekick from Gurung saw the keeper make a mess with the push and the ball fell at the feet of Lalkhawpumawia, who didn’t make a mistake inside a crowded goalmouth.

To be fair, almost-immediately, Ubaid kept his team in the hunt with a brilliant save to deny Plaza from close-range, and as the minutes ticked by, Kerala got the winner. It came with Joseph, yet again, giving a good account of himself. He worked his way on the left and crossed where Kisekka darted from in between two defenders to score the match winner.
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