Gokulam Kerala fall at final hurdle in I-League, miss chance to reach ISL for third season in a row

Gokulam Kerala stumbled at the final hurdle, suffering a 4-3 defeat to Dempo SC in Kozhikode on the last matchday of the I-League season. Gokulam were one of the four teams with a mathematical chance to win the league and qualify for the Indian Super League.

In other matches, Churchill Brothers were held 1-1 by Real Kashmir, while Inter Kashi crushed Rajasthan United FC 3-1. However, the final league position remains unclear. At full-time in the three big matches, Churchill have 40 points, Inter Kashi have 39, and Real Kashmir have 37. Gokulam have 37, too.

But Inter have a plea for 3 points pending before the AIFF appeals committee against Namdhari on the charge of fielding an ineligible player. If that verdict comes in their favour, Inter's tally will increase to 42, and they will be crowned champions, or else Churchill will have the last laugh.

But one thing is clear: Gokulam have missed out yet again. Gokulam had won two titles before the AIFF's roadmap guaranteeing promotion to I-League winners kicked in.

Punjab FC and Mohammedan SC won the I-League titles in the last two seasons and advanced to the ISL. Gokulam had finished third in the last two seasons, but this time, they had a realistic chance to join Kerala Blasters as the second ISL club from the southern state.

But Gokulam had to beat Dempo to keep their chances alive. Gokulam made a terrific start with their Lesotho striker Thabiso Brown scoring twice inside 11 minutes. First, he outmuscled the last Dempo defender to charge ahead before placing the ball perfectly into the bottom left corner. Then he positioned himself brilliantly in the box to meet a cut back from Nacho Abeledo, and scored.

But Dempo equalised in the 21st minute when Cristian Perez hammered a vicious left-footer past Shibinraj. Former Gokulam striker Marcus Joseph provided the assist after winning the ball cleanly in midfield. Marcus was again provided the assist as Dempo equalised through Kapil Hoble in the 34th minute.

Gokulam created plenty of chances before half-time, with Ashish Sibi denying Suhair before Abeledo hit the post. Ashish was impressive early in the second half as his quick reflexes denied Abeledo from point blank. Dempo also made a goalline clearance to stay alive.

But the script changed when Mashoor Shereef received a second yellow for handling the ball in the 64th minute. With the man advantage, Dempo charged forward and were rewarded as Perez found Didier Brossou with a hanging ball and a headed goal put Dempo ahead.

At the other end, Brown completed his hat-trick when a Niane's header from a corner bounced off the bar and fell kindly in front of him. Gokulam were wasteful again. Niane had a glorious chance to put the hosts in front. Splendid work from V P Suhair, who outran the Dempo defence with immaculate control and swung a delicious hanging ball. All Niane had to do was nod it into an empty net, but he headed over.

In the dying minutes, with Gokulam pushing men forward, Perez sneaked into a pocket and fired into the roof of the net to rub salt into Gokulam's wounds.