I-League 2024-25: Gokulam Kerala hold Aizawl FC at home

Both teams fought till the end of the I-league contest.

Hosts Gokulam Kerala FC managed to hold an Aizawl FC that started with an all-Indian XI to a 1-1 draw in Round 3 of I-League 2024-25 at the EMS Corporation Stadium, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. The score was 1-1 at half-time.

After Lalhriatpuia put Aizawl in the lead in the 13th minute, midfielder Rishad equalised for his side (45+1’) at the end of the first half. Both Gokulam Kerala and Aizawl move to five points from three matches this season.

Amidst a frantic start, Aizawl capitalised on an early corner, as Lalhriatpuia’s powerful header from close range was deflected off a defender into the Gokulam goal.

A goal down in front of their home fans, Gokulam Kerala took the initiative to create inroads in the Aizawl backline. However, the away side maintained a firm defensive shape and afforded few opportunities to their hosts.

Gokulam Kerala and Aizawl FC share spoils in an exciting I-League contest 🔥👀#IndianFootball #ILeague #GKFCAFC pic.twitter.com/aJvoGLt0hj

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) December 3, 2024

Uruguayan attacker Martin Chavez and Spaniard Labeledo combined to create a number of opportunities down the right for the Malabarians. In the 29th minute, Labeledo strung a precise through ball to right fullback Sebastian Zo inside the box. The latter sent in a swift cut-back, but it was cleared amidst a melee of feet.

For all their possession Gokulam were not able to penetrate a tight Aizawl backline. Their silver lining finally appeared in the form of a sublime long-range effort by Rishad from around 25 yards out into the top corner, just minutes before the half-time whistle.

The momentum did not shift in the second half, as the hosts pressed on. However, Aizawl managed to funnel Gokulam to the wide areas, and showed good coordination between the defensive line, to deal with the hosts’ crosses.

Gokulam’s Athul Unnikrishnan had the perfect chance in the 76th minute, when a Chavez corner found him inside the six-yard-box. The defender leapt higher than the rest and managed to get a free header, but his effort ballooned over.

Aizawl’s Awmawma and Augustine Lalrochana combined well in the last few minutes to trouble the Malabarians down the right, but Gokulam, who had shifted to three defenders at the back by then, managed to deal with any threat.

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