Kalyani (West Bengal): Defending Champion Gokulam Kerala started their I-League title defense with a 1-0 victory over runner-up last season Churchill Brothers on Sunday.
Gokulam Kerala Skipper Sharif Mohammad scored his own goal from the match from the penalty spot at the beginning of the first half.
The two teams made a nervous start when they used football to attack directly by the long ball in the opponent’s fortress.
Malabarians found a breakthrough after being given a penalty in the 16th minute.
When Pacy Ngangom Ronald Singh Skilled soared with the ball into the Churchill Brothers box, he was dropped by Lebanon Shadi Skaf.
Skipper Sharif Mohammad stepped up to take a spot-down kick and calmly cross the ball to the lower left corner to give a gokulan profit.
Churchill Brothers’s great opportunity from the match fell on Jalan Bryce Miranda in the 21st minute, when Guilherme Dos Santos Brazil sent Miranda in clear.
However, Miranda’s shot was saved brilliantly by Gokulam goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar.
Gokulam Kerala almost doubled their lead in the extra time of the first half.
Thahir midfielder produces a fantastic snapshot from the corner who defeated the Churchill Brothers Shilton Paul’s goal, but he was rejected by wood.
Churchill Brothers increases their game tempo in the second half but cannot create a clear assessment opportunity.
When Churchill Brothers hunted for equalizer, the best chance of the second half fell to Malabarian in the 68th minute.
Ronald Singh, which is a constant threat to Churchill’s defense from the right side, once again gets his better marker and sends perfect crosses.
But, Thahir times couldn’t get clean contact on his header and Shilton Paul didn’t have much difficulty cleaning it.
From the next corner, the free header Cameroonian Aminou Bouba sailed inches above the bar.