Bad day for Kerala football as Gokulam too lose
Churchill Brothers edged Gokulam 1-0 in Kozhikode.
Churchill Brothers edged Gokulam 1-0 in Kozhikode.
Churchill Brothers edged Gokulam 1-0 in Kozhikode.
Gokulam Kerala suffered their first defeat of the I-League season, losing 0-1 to Churchill Brothers at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday. Kerala Blasters, the other popular club from the state, also lost their ISL fixture the same day.
Stendly Fernandes scored the solitary goal in the 13th minute to end Gokulam's three-game unbeaten run. Antonio Rueda's Gokulam have slipped to seventh in the points table (5 pts from four), while the Goans have climbed to the third position (7 pts from four).
A cross from Lamgoulen Hangshing was not cleared properly by the Gokulam defence, allowing an onrushing Fernandes to smash it home, leaving Shibinraj Kunniyil no chance. The goalscorer had another attempt from range in the first half.
Gokulam came back stronger in the second half and Senthamil S nearly equalised with a beautiful bicycle-kick in the 75th minute, but his effort went wide. At the other end, Juan Mera forced a save from Shibinraj. Gokulam next play Shillong Lajong away on December 14. The match is scheduled to kick off at 4.30 pm.