Durand Cup: Gokulam Kerala edge Kerala Blasters in seven-goal thriller

Gokulam Kerala
Gokulam Kerala players celebrate their opening goal. Photo: Twitter@GokulamKeralaFC

Kolkata: Former champions Gokulam Kerala FC scored an exciting 4-3 win over Kerala Blasters FC in a Group C match of the Durand Cup at the Mohun Bagan Ground here on Sunday.

Cameroonian defender Aminou Bouba headed home off a corner kick to hand Gokulam an early lead in the 17th minute.

Nigerian forward Justine Ojoka Emmanuel drew level for Blasters in the 35th minute.

Sreekuttan restored Gokulam's lead with a header in the 43rd minute. Balasters defender Naocha Singh, under pressure from Spanish striker Alex Sanchez, rolled the ball into his own net in the first minute of added time as Gokulam went into the break 3-1 ahead.

Midfielder Abhijith made it 4-1 shortly after resumption of play with a thunderous strike.

Prabir Das, playing his first game for Blasters, pulled one back in the 54th minute.

Though Adrian Luna made it 3-4 in the 77th minute, Gokulam held on to pocket three vital points.

The Malabarians, who had defeated Indian Air Force FT 2-0 in their opener, lead the group with six points from two matches.

Blasters next meet Bengaluru FC on Friday (6 pm).

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