Thiruvananthapuram Kombans kept their semifinal hopes alive with a thrilling 2-1 comeback win over Kannur Warriors in Super League Kerala at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday. It was the Warriors' first loss of the campaign.
The Warriors led the match through Anthony Alister's 24th minute strike. Autemar equalised shortly after the hour and substitute Shan P Akmal scored the winner in the 85th minute to take the Kombans into third position on 12 points from 8 rounds.
The Kombans needed the win to stay in the top four with Forca Kochi breathing down their neck at 10 points from seven rounds. The Warriors missed a chance to go top and remain second on 13 points from eight matches.
The Warriors dominated the early stages while the Kombans struggled to find their rhythm. But the Kombans pressed relentlessly in the second half and were rewarded when Autemar headed down a near-flawless freekick from captain Patrick Motta. An error from defender Munmun Timothy allowed Akmal to slot home the winner.
Scores: Kannur Warriors 1 (Anthony Alister 24) lost to Thiruvananthapuram Kombans 2 (Autemar 62, Shan P Akmal 85)