GKFC’s 2nd-half clinical show routs Indian Arrows

KALYANI: A stellar attacking performance in the second half helped Gokulam Kerala FC defeat Indian Arrows 4-0 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Friday. After a listless display in the first half where Sharif Mohammad missed a penalty kick, strikes by Emil Benny, Dennis Antwi, substitute Lalromawia, and Ronald Singh in the second half gave the Malabarians much-needed three points to go fourth on the Hero I-League points table with 13 points in eight matches.

Coming on the back of a solid 3-1 win over TRAU in their last match, GKFC looked to extend their winning streak. But the Indian Arrows proved no pushovers in the first half as the Malabarians hardly created a clear goal-scoring chance and were held at bay with ease.

NEROCA FC keep hopes alive: NEROCA FC gave themselves a fighting chance in the race to finish in the Top 6 by beating Sudeva Delhi FC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Friday. Goals by Judah Garcia and super-substitute Songpu Singsit ensured a victory for Gift Raikhan’s side in a hard-fought game against the Hero I-League newcomers.

CB regain pole position: Luka Majcen’s injury-time header led Churchill Brothers to regain their position at the top of the Hero I-League table after the Red Machine defeated Chennai City FC 2-1 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Thursday. In an exciting game where Chennai City FC failed to make the most of their chances and finally succumbed, Luka Majcen’s 49th-minute strike was cancelled out by Elvedin Skrijlej’s 64th-minute penalty, before Majcen’s header in extra time proved to be the difference between the sides.

Punjab, Real Kashmir draw: RoundGlass Punjab’s three-match winning streak came to a halt when they drew with Real Kashmir FC in the top of the table clash at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Thursday. Joseba Beitia’s penalty was cancelled out by eventual Hero of the Match Dipanda Dicka’s header, in an eventful second half which also saw two red cards.

In an end-to-end start, it was RoundGlass Punjab, who came close to breaking the deadlock on the 6th minute as Papa Diawara’s lobbed header was cleared off the line by Mason Robertson. The game slowly settled down as RoundGlass Punjab started dominating possession. By the 20th minute, Curtis Fleming’s side held a massive 72 per cent possession.

Aizawl FC blitz MSC: Aizawl FC blitzed past Mohammedan SC 3-0 in a dominant display of attacking prowess at the YVBK Stadium in Kolkata on Thursday. A Malsawmtluanga free-kick in the first half, coupled with strikes by Lalremsanga and Lalliansanga in the second, led the people’s club to a dominant win over the Black Panthers, in a match where Mohammedan were unable to create many goal-scoring chances.

In what was a cagey half where both teams nullified each other in midfield and chances were at a premium, Yan Law’s Aizawl FC started the game with their usual style of attacking football, while keeping possession and rotating the ball around the opponent’s penalty box.

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