A pair of goals traded within minutes of each other in the second half allowed Gokulam Kerala FC and Real Kashmir FC to split the points in their I-League encounter at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode on Sunday, March 10, 2024
The first half was defined by a lack of finishing quality, with both sides guilty of doing a lot in the final third — and then failing to apply the crucial touch.
The best of these fell to Gnohere Krizo early in the half. After some brilliant build-up play, the ball made its way to David Laldinpuia on the left wing. Faced one one-on-one with a Gokulam defender, the Mizo winger unleashed a series of tricks and stepovers before crossing perfectly into the six-yard box. Krizo met the cross with the glancing header only to see his effort bounce off the post.
A few minutes later it was Gokulam’s turn to rattle the woodwork, with Christy Davis’ outrageous long attempt from 35 yards bouncing off the crossbar. There was little to separate the sides, and they went into the break locked in a stalemate.
Krizo atoned for his earlier miss with a finely taken goal in the 65th minute. Laldinpuia was again at the heart of the move, his long ball allowing Krizo space inside the six-yard area albeit from a tight angle.
That goal galvanized the home side, and within two minutes Gokulam drew level. Noufal’s cross found Matija Babovic in the box. The Serbian flashed his shot straight into the bottom corner.
Minutes later Gokulam had the best chance all game, and Noufal again crossed to find Sreekuttan at the far post. His header required a brilliant diving save from Muheet Shabir. It was the last real chance as the teams split the points.
