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Henry Kisekka scored a well-taken brace as Gokulam Kerala registered a routine 2-0 victory over NorthEast United in Thursday's Super Cup match.
The southern outfit was ruthless and deserved to win against an uninspired NEUFC, who were extremely wasteful in the final third of the pitch. Here are the major talking points from tonight's intense game.
#1 Impressive Gokulam play with a lot of intensity
Tonight, not for one minute did Gokulam seem shy to pass the ball through the ground. They refused to crumble under pressure and looked at ease playing deft one-two's and made great use of the wings.
The likes of Henry Kissekka and Arjun Jayaraj created a number of problems for NorthEast United. They were clever with their movements and outran their markers all night long. More importantly, when they did not have the ball, they made sure to press NorthEast's backline who looked on edge.
Salman K was a live-wire down the right wing and marauded forward every-time he found space and the opportunity. He whipped in numerous dangerous crosses and displayed a lot of maturity.
#2 NorthEast ease themselves into the game and looked dangerous
They may not have started the game on the right note but, slowly and steadily, NorthEast United flexed their muscles and created the better chances during the first half. While Gokulam looked slick, The Highlanders were patient and looked to create chances from the counter.
Usual suspects, Marcinho and Danilo ran the show for the whites and did well to build the attack. Rowlin Borges who was out of color during the ISL season was far more impressive tonight and looked confident in the middle of the park.
They may not have had the same intensity as Gokulam but NEUFC were extremely clever in their approach. Their cautiousness in the opening minutes gave way to incisive football.
#3 Halicharan Narzary makes an epic mess of a glorious chance
Every match provides its own set of bloopers and unfortunately for NorthEast United, Halicharan Narzary contributed towards it tonight, with an epic mess up inside Gokulam's box.
The winger did well to get past Gokulam keeper, Nikhil Bernard post which he could have merely shot into an open goal and given his side the lead. But astoundingly, Narzary decided against doing so and attempted to round of a few more defenders.
By the time he twisted and turned three times, he was eventually outnumbered and bulldozed off the ball before he conceded possession. Was it nerves or was it overconfidence? Narzary's reluctance to take the shot will go down as one of the most embarrassing moments of this season.
#4 Power and pace - Henry Kisekka shines brightly for Gokulam
Gokulam Kerala has a gem in their hands who today displayed immense personality. Henry Kisekka scored the opening goal of the night and thoroughly deserved to do so. The Ugandan ran riot and scored a peach of a goal in the first half.
With a single touch, he zipped past his marker before smashing the ball past keeper, Rehenesh who could not get his hands on the stinging shot. Throughout the night, Kisekka was dangerous, using his pace in a deadly manner and finished the night with a brace.
The manner in which he outran his markers was a sight to behold. Still only 28, it won't be surprising if some ISL clubs come calling to scoop him up for the next season. He has all the traits of an effective striker.
#5 Ruthless Gokulam put NEUFC to the sword
For all their dominance in the first half, Gokulam never really managed to get going in the first half. But they were ruthless which ultimately proved to be the difference between both the sides tonight.
Case in point being the glorious chance Highlander's forward Danilo had deep into the second half. The striker found himself in exactly the same position as Henry's opener in the second half. While the later buried his chance, the former fluffed his shot from the same angle.
Like during the ISL, NEUFC were wasteful in the final third while Gokulam took both their opportunities in fine fashion. It was a case of ruthlessness from one end and the absence of a finisher at the other.
