TP Nithinlal | Sunday 12 March, 2023 | 8:13 PM
Kozhikode: Despite failing to retain the title, Gokulam Kerala FC ended this season’s I-League campaign by defeating the mighty Srinidhi Deccan FC in the final match. Gokulam’s victory was a goal against no one. Spanish striker Sergio Iglesias Mendy scored Gokulam’s winning goal through a penalty in the 49th minute. In the first half, Gokulam played full on the field with great strides. After trailing by one goal, Srinidhi intensified the attack. Srinidhi was unable to score the equalizing goal despite shaking the defensive fortress of Gokulam. In the 60th minute, Faisal’s excellent free kick was saved by Gokulam’s goalie Shibinraj with a brilliant save. In the injury time, Shibinraj scored a free kick by Lal Rammavia and a goal shot by Konsam Singh and Arjit Bagu to put Gokulam on the verge of victory. Shibinraj is the man of the match.
With the win, Gokulam secured the third position in the league. Gokulam has 39 points from 22 games with 12 wins, three draws and seven losses. Gokulam became the team that conceded the least number of goals in the I-League but failed to score this time. Gokulam conceded only 14 goals and managed to retaliate with 26 goals. This is despite the fact that champions Roundglass FC Punjab scored 43 goals and Srinidhi Deccan scored 44 goals. Srinidhi Deccan is second in the league with 42 points from 22 games.