Gokulam stun Minerva in a crucial encounter
PANCHKULA: The I-League title race was thrown wide open yet again with Gokulam Kerala FC registering a 1-0 win over hosts Minerva Punjab FC on Tuesday.
Twice Minerva have fallen victim to questionable tactics of sitting deep and letting the opponents dictate terms. Despite losing to East Bengal 1-0, Minerva once again went into the match with lone striker Chencho Gyeltshen upfront and William Opoku in a holding role. The other striker Gagandeep Bali was made to play as a left winger, thwarting their chances of fast breaks and counter-attacks with Chencho doing all the running upfront.
Even Gokulam coach Bino George pointed out later that he knew the hosts’ gameplan and was ready for it. “They play counter-attack game and seeing the possession game not possible, we shifted to direct-ball tactic which paid off,” he said.
Gokulam tried playing a possession game but a bumpy ground hampered their game. Despite that, the visitors managed to create chances and move the ball around. At least three attempts hit the crossbar before Uganda’s Henry Kisekka managed to slot one in, off a bicycle kick, in the 75th minute.
Gokulam carried on from where they had left in their 2-1 win over East Bengal. Their forwards Kivi Zhimomi, Kisekka and Salman made life difficult for the Minerva defence.
The first half remained goalless and Minerva looked sloppy with the midfield trio of William Opoku, Randeep Singh and Kassim Aidara failing to hold the ball and create chances.
The second half saw Gokulam coming much stronger and Minerva failing to find any answers. Mohd Rashid twice came close from long range efforts, similar to what Cavin Lobo had done in the last match for East Bengal. On both occasions, Minerva were saved by woodwork.
Then in the 75th minute, Provat Lakra managed to find Kisekka, off a throw in. Kisekka first attempt hit the crossbar. But the rebound landed behind Kisekka, who made no error in slotting home the winner.