This was the first time both teams fielded first team for the Derby
The Kerala Derby between Kerala Blasters and Gokulam Kerala saw the Malabarians come out on top in a seven-goal affair. Gokulam had already opened their campaign but this was the first game of the tournament for the Blasters.
New signings Pritam Kotal, Naocha Singh, Justine Emmanuel, and Naocha Singh had their debut outings for Kerala Blasters.
Justine and Adrian Luna were the only foreigners from their side whereas Gokulam fielded four of them. Malabarians’ new signing Alex Sanchez led the team out of the tunnel.
First-Half
34% possession, 3 shots, 3 shots on target, 3 goals – That’s how Gokulam Kerala ended their first half at the Mohun Bagan ground.
Bouba Aminou’s header sent Gokulam ahead. Former Bengaluru FC midfielder Nili Perdomo sent in a beautiful delivery for the Cameroonian to leap onto it. He neatly prodded it home with no pressure.
Justine Emmanuel took back the equaliser for Blasters. Adrian Luna’s free-kick was aimed straight to the keeper who couldn’t keep it out of the danger zone. He fisted it back to the crowd where Nihal jumped the highest to head it, only for it rebound off the crossbar. Though Justine scored on third try to make it 1-1 at the 35th minute.
Prior to that, him and Luna consistently combined to threaten the neighbour’s defence. Justine’s header off Luna’s corner just went over the bar. Minutes later, it was Luna who failed to connect on an opportunistic Justine delivery.
Second goal for Gokulam was scored by former Blasters prodigy Sreekuttan. The cross by Alex Sanchez was headed in by the young forward who once was a preseason sensation at his former club. It was again Nili Perdomo who laid down Bijoy Joseph to skid in a ball to his skipper. He controlled and sent a little cross for Sreekuttan to head it in.
Sanchez scored the third for Gokulam in the first half injury time.
Second-Half
The second half started with a bang – thanks to 26-year-old Abhijith K who put a 25-yard long ranger beyond Sachin’s limits. A rare, rare goal from Prabir Das cut Kerala Blasters’ deficit to two. Aimen was all over the goal with his assist. He flicked it over a defender inside the penalty, twisted his way past another before sending a controlled cross to Das who was in space in front of the goal.
After a busy shift Justine was subbed for Bidyashagar who has had a really hard life ever since winning the I-League golden boot. Jeakson was replaced with Danish Farooq. Prior to that, Gokulam coach made a triple substitution of Sourav, Rahul, and Nihal in place of Shijin and goalscorers Abhijith and Sreekuttan.
75 minutes in, Bidya missed a sitter from five yards out. Rahul KP headed down for Bidyashagar. Goal number three finally came for Blasters through Luna. He pounced on a scrambled box from five yards out and lashed it into the net.
The result must have left Ivan Vukomanovic with questions in defence department. They took a total of 16 shots with 71% ball possession. While Domingo Oramas would be happy with his clinical attack. Only six shots, four on target, and four into the net. However, the defence barring Bouba Aminou may prove to be Gokulam’s Achilles heels in near future.
