I-League 2018/19, Gokulam Kerala 1-0 Minerva Punjab: 3 Talking Points

After going winless in their first three games, Kerala will be happy with to register six points from the last two games
After going winless in their first three games, Kerala will be happy with to register six points from the last two games

Gokulam Kerala FC procured their second consecutive win of the season against Minerva Punjab to move up the table in this campaign's Hero I-league.

The only goal for the Reds and yellows' came through the winger Rajesh who just had to make sure of making of a proper contact to see the net bulging.

The visitors had plenty of chances to go ahead in the first half, but they would livid with themselves due to the failure of taking those which would have changed the game totally.

After going winless in their first three games, Kerala will be happy with to register six points from the last two games.

The home side are second in the table, whereas the reigning Champions sit seventh with just one victory in their first four games.

It was a game which had to be decided to by an inspirational moment because both sides looked very tame when it came to taking the chances in front of the goal.

In this article, we shall be looking at three talking points from this game.


#1 Gokulam Kerala's sturdy defence after securing the lead

The back four consisting of Kumar, Fabricio Ortiz, Daniel Addo and Arnab Das Sharma were working tirelessly hard to not let the lead slip away once Gokulam Kerala FC lead the game.

The midfield was easily overrun during the first half which leads to the defence getting exposed too easily.

The game was wide upon until Rajesh broke the deadlock in the 60th minute. The home side had to deal with plenty of pressure from Minerva Punjab who put in plenty of long balls rather than playing interplays as they did before. Besides, they were a continuously prompting to be a massive threat from the set pieces.

Edafe, Opuku and Dahir were causing massive havoc, where Addo once came to the rescue by making a last-ditch tackle in the second half.

Moreover, Minerva Punjab forwards pressed high up the pitch to retrieve the ball as soon as they can. But, Kerala defenders were so calm and collectively did their job to register their second victory of the season.

#2 When none accepted the invitation to get on the score sheet, Rajesh's goal proved to be the separating line

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Minerva Punjab took twice much amount of shots compared to Gokulam Kerala FC in this game.

Understandably, the match was decided based on one moment when Rajesh netted his second goal of the season in an unstimulating game.

The visitors had two glorious chances within eight minutes in the first half which feel to Donatus Edafe.

The Nigerian International who is yet to open his account for Minerva Punjab refused to confiscate the moment. Coach Paul Munster was showing his frustration when his players were tussling out to find the back of the net.

When Gokulam Kerala FC had a chance to kill the game, right-back Abhishek Das squandered it by hitting the ball straight into the hands of Bhaskar Roy.

It was an obvious mistake from Suhair who decided to pull the ball back when he had a clear-cut chance to shoot from close range.

#3 Shibinraj Kunniyil's looked unbeatable between the sticks

In a plodding game, the 23-year-old arose when his team needed him the most in between the sticks
In a plodding game, the 23-year-old arose when his team needed him the most in between the sticks

Gokulam Kerala FC custodian Shibinraj Kunniyil will be delighted with his performance as he carried his side to the second victory of this campaign. In a plodding game, the 23-year-old arose when his team needed him the most in between the sticks.

Minerva Punjab took the most number of shots in this game (8), but Gokulam Kerala goalkeeper did not seek to allow any balls to go past him.

The shots he faced were not sluggish and any sort of mishandling would lead to a tap-in from the forwards.

More than ever, Kunniyil's punching and catching ability came to a great test when the away side decided to cram the penalty box by stowing in plenty of crosses in search of the equalizer.

Shibinraj Kunniyil was the best player for Gokulam Kerala after the outfield players did not combine well to produce a particularly good game.

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Edited by Alan John