Gokulam Kerala – The Hindu

Gokulam Kerala had to be content with just a point from its first home match of the Indian Football League (IFL). It was held 1-1 by Namdhari FC at the Payyanad Stadium here on Saturday.

The host took the lead through Thabiso Brown’s goal in the opening half. Seilenthang Lotjem then brought the Punjab team back into the match with his goal in the second period.

Gokulam went in front thanks to some fine work by Brown. He was smart enough to move the net with the second opportunity he got following an excellent back-heel pass from Francisco Borges. A nice piece of defending by Namdhari’s Lamine Moro, from just inside the box, had prevented Brown from striking in the first instance, but the latter recovered quick enough to break the deadlock.

Namdhari’s attempts to find the equaliser finally succeeded late into the second half. A superb square pass from inside the box by Abdoulaye Diallo was converted neatly by Seilenthang Lotjem.

This was the second draw in as many matches for both teams.

The result: Gokulam Kerala 1 (Thabiso Brown 32) drew with Namdhari 1 (Seilenthang Lotjem 74).