Gokulam Kerala FC extended their unbeaten run in the Hero I-League 2021-22 with a 3-2 win over Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU FC) at the Kalyani Stadium on Monday.
An early goal from Jithin MS, followed by a brace from Luka Majcen saw the Malabarians get the better of TRAU FC, who registered two goals thanks to a brace from Fernandinho.
Defending champions Gokulam Kerala wasted no time in taking the game to their opponents, finding an early breakthrough in the 2nd minute of the contest. Jithin MS scored for the Malabarians for the third game running, as he made an undetected run into the TRAU FC box to get on the end of a cross from the left flank. TRAU goalkeeper Amrit Gope misjudged the flight of the ball and got stranded in no man’s land, leaving Jithin the easy task of directing the ball into the empty net.
Despite trailing, TRAU FC didn’t lack for any attacking intent of their own, and levelled the contest through Brazilian import Fernandinho in the 8th minute. After Kishan Singh had his snapshot saved by Rakshit Dagar, Fernandinho slid in to poach the rebound and bring TRAU back on level terms.
The parity was to last for a brief period of ten minutes only, as Gokulam Kerala’s talisman Luka Majcen put the defending champions in front once again in the 18th minute. Majcen rose highest in the box to meet a cross from the left flank and place his header back across goal, leaving keeper Amrit Gope no chance.
Gokulam Kerala had a golden opportunity to extend their lead further in the 20th minute when in-form striker Majcen turned provider this time, playing a lofted through ball for Thahir Zaman. Zaman did well to bring down the ball with his first touch, but skied his finish well over the bar.
Gokulam skipper Sharif Mohammad had a look at goal from a free kick in the 39th minute. Although the Afghan international struck the dead ball well, his shot didn’t dip enough in time to draw a save from Amrit Gope.
An eventful first half ended with Gokulam narrowly leading the contest 2 – 1 at half time.