Own goal vs Gokulam hurts EB title hopes

KOZHIKODE: East Bengal’s title aspirations were dealt a body blow as Gokulam Kerala FC stunned them with a come-frombehind 2-1 win at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Saturday.

Yusa Katsumi (45+4 minutes) opened the scoring from the penalty spot for the away side but Kivi Zhimomi (51st) restored parity before an own goal by substitute Salam Ranjan Singh (87th) made matters worse for the Kolkata heavyweights.

Both captains, Arnab Mondal of East Bengal and Mohammed Irshad of Gokulam, were sent off in second-half added time.

Mondal picked up a second yellow for his lunge on Henry Kisseka while Irshad was given the marching orders for putting his arm on the face of East Bengal’s Lalramchullova.

The result saw East Bengal remain third in the table with 26 points from 15 fixtures, three points adrift of second-placed Minerva Punjab FC (29 points from 14 games) and five of league leaders Neroca FC who have 31 from 16 matches. Gokulam moved to the eighth spot with 16 points from 14 games.

NEROCA FACE BAGAN

IMPHAL: Table toppers Neroca FC host their final home game of the I-League season as they welcome Mohun Bagan to the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Sundya. The Imphal-based unit, which was only promoted to the top tier this season lead the race atop the standings with thirtyone points in their kitty.

However, with sixteen games already played, second-placed Minerva Punjab, have as many games in hand and Neroca will look to do one better than their goalless draw with the Kolkata team earlier this season.