I-league: Gokulam Kerala FC post 2-0 win over Indian Arrows

NEW DELHI: Gokulam Kerala FC posted their first win of the 11th Hero I-league, getting the better of Indian Arrows 2-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Friday.

Ghanian Daniel Addo (11th minute) and Syrian Khaled Alsaleh (64th) scored for the visitors, while the Arrows produced a spirited performance but failed to post any goals.

In the first half, Gokulam Kerala FC were the more attacking and even looked more in control even though possession was split equally.

The initial enterprise was shown by the Indian Arrows. In the 8th minute, the self-driven and pacy Aniket Jadhav first cut in from the left to play the ball to Abhishek Halder near the top of the box, but his feeble left footer lacked direction.

A minute later, he again broke through from the left beating Provat Lakra for pace but could not get the critical pass in.

Then almost against the run of play, Kerala's Ghanian centre-back, Daniel Addo jumped high above everyone, off a Rohit Mirza corner from the left flank in the 11th minute, to drill a header into the Arrows net.

The Arrows defence could certainly have been more alert and proactive in marking Addo. The Arrows were clearly rattled and frustrated by the goal as Aniket earned the game's first yellow card in the 30th minute for his incessant aggression.

In the 35th minute, Gokulam's Syrian recruit Khaled Alsaleh put Rohit Mirza, who had a fantastic game incidentally, through on the right.

His attempt to break in was thwarted illegally by Anwar Ali, just outside the box. Khaled fired in a left-footer, but it rebounded off the goalline milee. Then in the 37th minute, Abhishek Halder lost the ball inside his own half and Usman Ashik broke free into the Arrows box from the left.

His diagonal left-footer beat Dheeraj but rolled past the far post. Just at the stroke of the lemon-break, Gokulam got another chance when a lovely through ball from Usman found Rohit clear in the box with just the goalkeeper to beat. But Dheeraj, rushed out to clear just in time.

The Arrows began the second half with a lot more intent.

Three corners and a couple of set pieces in advantageous positions being the result.

In the 58th minute, from one of those free-kicks from about 30-yards away, Sanjeev Stalin curled a vicious rightfooter which beat the Gokulam keeper Bilal all ends up but struck the upright, in what turned out to be the Arrows best chance of the game.

Stalin's overenthusiasm post the free-kick though cost his team a second goal. He picked up a needless yellow card on the right flank with a reckless tackle on Santu Singh.

From the resultant free- kick, Alsaleh curled a looping left-footer, which beat everyone including Dheeraj in goal, to double Gokulam's lead in the 64th minute.

Stung by the reverse, Arrows tried their best to come back into the game and Usman was replaced by Syed Shoaib Ahmed in the 75th minute by Gokulam coach Bino George to ensure more muscle in the defensive midfield.

The Arrows coach Matos, made his last throw of the dice with a double substitution in the 86th and 87th minute.

Abhijit Sarkar came in for Jadhav and Boris Thanjam was replaced by K. Meetei.

But in spite of the fact that most of the play was happening in the Gokulam half, the spirited Arrows side could not find a consolation goal.

Daniel Addo was adjudged the Hero of the Match for his overall robust performance in defence as well as for scoring the first goal to break the deadlock.

Midfield spearhead Jaekson Singh made a comeback into the starting eleven and so did Aniket, the striker who struck twice in the Arrows opening game win against Chennai City FC.

Gokulam move from ninth to the seventh position on the points table with this win while the Arrows slipped to ninth place. NEW DELHI: The Australian women's team will tour India in March 2018 to play three ODIS against the hosts as part of the ICC Women's Championship (2071-2020), the BCCI said on Friday while announcing a T20 tri-series also involving England.

The three One-day Internationals will be held from March 12 to March 18 in Baroda, while the tri-series will kick off with India taking on Australia on March 22.

All the matches of the triseries will be held in Mumbai, with the final slated for April 3.

England will start their campaign with a match against Australia on March 24.

"The Australian Women's Cricket Team will travel to India in March 2018 to take part in three ODIS against Indian Women's Cricket Team as part of the ICC Women's Championship (2017-2020). Prior to the ODI series, Australia Women will play two oneday warm-up matches against India A in Mumbai.

After the completion of the ODI series, a T20I Tri-series featuring India Women, Australia Women and England Women will be held at the Brabourne Stadium (CCI) in Mumbai," the BCCI said in a release. COIMBATORE East Bengal continued their winning run in the Hero I-league 2017-18 thanks to two first- half strikes from Katsumi Yusa and Charles D'souza against Chennai City.

Yusa and D'souza scored in the 26th and 31st minute respectively.

East Bengal moved into the second spot on the I-league table after a 2-1 away win over Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore on Friday.

Katsumi Yusa (28') broke the deadlock while Charles de Souza (31') scored against his former employers soon after. Alexander Romario Jesuraj (43') got the only goal for Chennai City FC in their first ever home game this season.

The hosts made a solitary change from their 2-0 win against Churchill Brothers by bringing in Charles Anandraj Lourdusamy for striker Murilo Ribeiro de Almeida. The visitors made three changes with Luis Barreto, Lalramchullova and Charles De Souza being brought in.

There was a lot of talk of the game being postponed over the poor playing surface however, the match commissioner deemed the ground fit to play.

East Bengal enjoyed more possession and also had a few swipes at goal. It was Katsumi Yusa who scored the first goal of the game as East Bengal were rewarded for their persistence.

Mahmoud Al Amna sent a cross from the right which was parried off by Uros Poljanec. However, the loose ball came straight at the feet of Yusa who only had to tap-in from close range.

Charles de Souza doubled the lead within five minutes. It was yet another mistake from Poljanec in goal who failed to punch a ball which allowed the Brazilian to head home with ease.

Jamil replaced young Prakash Sarkar in favour of Mohammed Rafique and the hosts had one back in no time just after the India international got onto the field.

Michael Soosairaj's long throw-in resulted in a goalmouth melee which saw Alexander Romario Jesuraj convert by hitting the top corner of the net.

The scoreline remained 2-1 in favour of the Kolkata giants at half-time.

Willis Plaza once again disappointed the East Bengal faithful with his listless display. Chennai saw more of the ball but couldn't carve out any clear cut scoring opportunities. The match ended in favour of East Bengal who held on for a victory.

East Bengal trail leaders Minerva Punjab FC by three points and are placed second. The Red and Golds next face Gokulam Kerala FC at home while seventh-placed Chennai City travel to come up against Mohun Bagan.

GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA SPECIAL PROJECT (P.W) DIVISION, YAVATMAL E-TENDER NOTICE No. 25/2017-18