Gokulam Kerala extend I-League clean slate; Neroca, TRAU FC also win

Khanngam Horam scored a brace in TRAU FC's win over Aizwal FC.

Sweden Fernandes and Sergio Mendiguchia Iglesias were on target for NEROCA FC on Tuesday as they defeated Kenkre 2-1 in the I-League 2021-22. With this, NEROCA have moved up to fourth place in the I-League standings with their fourth victory of the season. Meanwhile, it was Kenkre’s seventh defeat of the season.

NEROCA and Kenkre kick-started the first match of the day with high intensity as they looked to control the ball in the midfield early in the game. A couple of chances were created inside 10 minutes, including Dhananjoy Singh’s efforts to set the ball for Mendigutxia in the ninth minute through a cross from the left side.

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Kenkre created the first chance of the match in the 42nd minute through Ranjeet Singh Pandre after NEROCA defenders fumbled but the striker was not able to put it past the goal line. Three minutes were added at the end of first-half regulation time and it was all Kenkre needed to level the contest, courtesy of Pandre’s perfect finish in the 45th minute.

NEROCA had the chance to go one up again at the start of the second half but Mendigutxia missed a sitter. Seconds later, Khaimnthang made an unsuccessful attempt from inside the box. The Spanish forward, however, soon rectified his mistake as he netted the second goal for his side in the 50th minute as NEROCA went one up once again.

Gokulam Kerala edge Sreenidi Deccan

Gokulam Kerala climbed to the top of the I-League 2021/22 table with a win over Sreenidi Deccan on Tuesday at the Kalyani Stadium. The defending champions rode on two goals from Bouba Aminou (4′) and Jourdaine Fletcher (31′) in the first half to take control of the match. An early second half goal from David Castaneda (48′) turned the contest into an edge-of-the-seat thriller, but Gokulam Kerala managed to hold on to their lead till the final whistle.

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The match started with Gokulam Kerala in attack straightaway as Luka Majcen took a shot from inside the box before it was deflected away by the goalkeeper. The defending champions made most of the early corner as Sharif Mohammad’s cross inside the box was headed into the back of the net by Bouba Aminou to give Gokulam Kerala a 1-0 lead.

As the game progressed, Sreenidi Deccan started getting on the ball and creating opportunities. In the 29th minute, Sreenidi almost scored the equaliser before a timely intervention from Gokulam Kerala’s defender at the goalpost. A counter-attacking move led to Gokulam Kerala doubling their lead in the 31st minute as Fletcher received a quick pass from Majcen, and the Jamaican forward struck his left foot on the ball to hit it past the goalkeeper.

A spirited Sreenidi Deccan got a goal back at the start of the second half with Castaneda hitting a fantastic shot from outside the six-yard box into the back of the net.

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TRAU come from behind to beat Aizawl FC

Khanngam Horam netted a brace as TRAU FC overcame a tough Aizawl FC challenge, defeating them 2-1, to snap their three-match losing streak in I-League, here, in Kalyani. Meanwhile, Lalthakima Ralte netted the solitary goal for his side as they succumbed to their seventh defeat of the season.

TRAU were dealt a significant injury scare early in the game when their captain Netrajit Singh fell on the field in the third minute with a shin injury and underwent medical assistance. TRAU and Aizawl both relied on their defences to keep their cool and deny the opponent any scoring chances early on.

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The People’s Club drew first blood in the match after Thakima put his side ahead in the 25th minute. Samuel aided him by setting him up with a peach of a delivery from the opposite half of the field.

TRAU increased their attacking play after Aizawl broke the deadlock and were soon rewarded for their efforts as Khanngam scored the equalizer from his third attempt of the game, smashing the ball in the bottom right corner.

Khanngam scored his second goal of the night three minutes later, giving TRAU the lead by toying with Anuj Kumar with a sloppy touch and slamming the ball past the goal line just as the goalkeeper rushed forward to collect it.

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