I-League: Gokulam Kerala Script Incredible Comeback To Clinch Maiden Title

Gokulam Kerala FC on Saturday clinched their maiden I-League title in spectacular trend as they got here again from a aim all the way down to beat TRAU 4-1 within the closing match of the season. Bidyashagar Singh's twenty third minute strike did little to cease the Gokulam juggernaut as objectives by Sharif Mohamed (69th), Emil Benny (74th), Dennis Antwi (77th) and Mohammad Rashid (90+6) handed them the trophy. With Churchill Brothers successful 3-2 towards Punjab FC within the day's different match held concurrently at one other venu, Gokulam shared factors (29) with the Goan aspect however had been topped champions on head-to-head document.

Within the two matches the 2 sides had performed within the season, Churchill had gained 3-2 as soon as whereas Gokulam had emerged 3-0 victorious within the different.

Gokulam thus certified for the group stage of the AFC Cup subsequent season, Asia's second tier membership competitors, as I-League champions. In addition they turned the primary aspect from Kerala to win the I-League title. The successful staff's coach Vincenzo Alberto Annese couldn't disguise his pleasure at his gamers' achievement.

"This is the best day of my life. I feel so happy and I feel amazing to be crowned a champion. I am immensely proud of my team and we deserved to be champions. We outscored all teams and we have played like champions in this season," Annese stated.

"This means everything to me. This is my first season in India and it has already been a very special one. We have a very special team and nobody plays the style of football that we play," he added.

Bidyshagar, a revelation within the I-League very like his staff TRAU, opened the scoring when he produced a superb end from exterior the field within the twenty third minute. Simply after resumption, Chanso Horam had a golden alternative handy TRAU their second aim of the match however his chip shot went inches over the bar, following a tremendous counter-attacking transfer.

Gokulam ahead Dennis Antwi failed to search out the web within the 62nd minute as his header went agonisingly extensive off an Emil Benny cross from the fitting flank. Sharif Mohamed's free kick within the 69th minute from the sting of the field grabbed the equaliser for Gokulam Kerala FC.

The comeback was nicely heading in the right direction within the 74th minute when Emil Benny tussled previous his marker and slotted residence by Amrit Gope's legs handy Gokulam the lead. Three minutes later, Dennis Antwi scored to increase the lead. After TRAU participant Vincy Barreto was despatched off within the added time, Mohammed Rashid scored the fourth aim for Gokulam, including extra gloss to finish the outstanding comeback.

Within the different match, Churchill surged into the lead within the ninth minute when Clayvin Zuniga was introduced down contained in the field. Off the resultant penalty, Slovenian striker Luka Majcen transformed from the spot by sending rival custodian Jaspreet Singh the unsuitable approach.

Churchill doubled their lead within the twenty fifth minute by Zuniga who scored his second aim within the first half added time to present the Goan aspect a 3-0 lead. Dealing with an uphill activity, Punjab FC managed to tug one again within the sixty fifth minute by Joseba Beitia and added one other 4 minutes later by Papa Diawara.

Promoted

Gokulam pocketed Rs 1 crore as prize cash whereas the second, third and fourth-placed groups within the desk obtained Rs 60 lakh, Rs 40 lakh and Rs 25 lakh respectively.

Bidyashagar Singh (TRAU) gained the best aim scorer award (Rs 2.5 lakh) together with Hero of the League Award (Rs 5 lakh). The Finest goalkeeper award (Rs 2.5 lakh) went to Kiran Limbu of Punjab FC. Syed Abdul Rahim Award for finest coach went to Nandakumar Singh of TRAU.