Gokulam ends Mohun Bagan’s title dream with an emphatic victory

the goal made the diffrence
the goal made the diffrence

Kolkata: Mohun Bagan’s title hopes seems almost over, as the Green and Maroon brigade left the Salt Lake Stadium with another disappointing defeat against I-League minnows Gokulam FC. The team from Kerala won it late through a late winner by Henry to make it 2-1 in their favour. No doubt, the game would be scripted as one one of the most eventful games of the seaskn for various reasons.

Henry Kisekka scored the winning goal for Gokulam in the 90th minute of the match from Mudde Musa’s pass. The move started with Provat Lakra’s throw-in which Musa received. The midfielder sent a through ball for Kisekka who took one touch and slotted the ball home with a volley.

Mohun Bagan though equalized right away. In the 78th minute, substitute Bimal headed the ball for Dipanda in the middle who stormed it into the net after the build-up began from the left side. Beautiful layoff by Bimal and Dipanda delivered too in his usual style to make it 1-1.

The defeat almost knocks the Mariners out of the title race with only three teams are now in the title race – Minerva, East Bengal and Neroca.

During the half time the scoreline was goalless despite both the teams got their share of chances. In the 63rd minute,

missed the easiest chance of the game. Arijit did all he could to win the ball from the right and served it on a platter for Akram who was positioned in front of the goal. The Lebanese player tried to slot it with his right foot when space on the other end was open. He suffered with his decision as goalkeeper Bilal stopped the effort.

The controversial moment of the game came in the 34th minute when Faiaz was brought down by Lakra after the midfielder made his way into the box following a through ball from the centre of the park. Mohun Bagan players were displeased as the referee overlooked the challenge.

The away side kept attacking right from the start of the game, but the first threatening move of the game came in the 32nd minute. Intent shown from the right-side of Mohun Bagan as Arijit and Faiaz combined well and sent the ball to Watson in the middle. Watson supplied Kadam who released a shot from distance which Bilal failed to collect in the first chance and Dipanda tried to trouble the custodian but Bilal eventually recovered.

Gokulam got the rewards of some consistent hard work in the 76th minute as peach of a finish came from Alajmi, something which Akram couldn’t come close to. Mohun Bagan were punished for their poor defensive work as Addo lobbed ball from the backline, which was controlled by Kisseka before Henry crossed it for Alajmi who slotted it with ease, precision and power to make it 1-0 for them.