Sri Bhaini Sahib, Feb 20:
Gokulam Kerala FC scripted an extraordinary late comeback to beat Delhi FC 2-1 at the Namdhari Stadium here on Monday.
After a lacklustre openinghalf in which Nidhin Krishna’s own goal put Delhi FC ahead, it took thelast 10 minutes for the Malabarians to come to life and net twicethrough captain ?lex S?nchez and debutant Lalliansanga Renthlei, thusextending their winning streak to five games.
The win sees GokulamKerala retake second spot in the table with 29 points, five less thanleaders Mohammedan Sporting. Delhi FC, on the other hand, suffered theirfirst loss in five games at the Namdhari Stadium, and remained ineighth place with 19 points.
The hosts, in fact, enjoyed adominant first half, seeing plenty of the ball in the Gokulam Keralahalf. Apart from an ?lex S?nchez shot which was dragged wide in thethird minute, the Malabarians created very little in the first period.
SkipperPape Gassama was the mastermind of all of Delhi FC’s attacks. In the15th minute, he created the first real opportunity with a sumptuousthrough ball for Gwgwmsar Goyary, but the teenager’s effort waswell-saved one-on-one by Avilash Paul. A couple of minutes later,Gassama’s free-kick from 30 yards out skimmed centimetres above the Gokulam goal.
The Senegalese later got on the end of a BaliGagandeep flick header, but Avilash showed quick reactions again to makea strong save from close range. However, he was finally beaten at thestroke of half-time when Gokulam defender Nidhin headed an inswingingGassama corner into his own net to put the hosts ahead.
