I-League 2017 Live Score: East Bengal vs Gokulam Kerala FC, Live Match Updates Commentary

KEB 1-0 GKFC (Rafique 44') (Full Time)

Updated: 27 December 2017 21:57 IST - Published: 27 December 2017 21:55 IST

That's all from tonight's I-League action from Kolkata as East Bengal reach the top of the standings for the first time this season. Minerva Punjab FC lost away to Aizawl FC paving the way for the Kolkata side.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda for all sporting news from around the world. This is Gaurav Kadam, signing off tonight. See you soon!

Full Time:
Kingfisher East Bengal 1 - 0 Gokulam Kerala FC

Three points and the top spot in the kitty for Khalid Jamil's men as a spirited showing from the Gokulam Kerala FC is unable to stop the home side from victory. Mohammad Rafique's scorcher just before the halftime provided the edge for the giants. Rohi Mirza was sent off for a horrid tackle on Katsumi Yusa. Kerala coach Bino George will be happy with his side's performance.

90+4' - Kerala try to break on the counter but KEB cut their move out as they clear the ball out for throw-ins.

90+4' - Last minute corner for East Bengal as Mahmoud Al-Amna takes his time reaching the flag post.

90' - Four minutes have been indicated by the referee as the score stands 1-0 for the home side.

89' - Laldanmawia Ralte makes his way off the pitch as Brandon Vanlalredmika comes on for the final couple of minutes.

85' - Surprise effort from Eduardo Ferreira out of nowhere as the shot just goes over Bilal's goal. Incredible power from the KEB center-back in that free-kick effort.

85' - Emmanuel Chigozie has been booked for a handball after he fell in a sliding tackle attempt, harsh but the ref had no choice. Free-kick for East Bengal as Al-Amna stands over.

83' - Mohd. Rafique has been adjudged the Hero of the Match for his absolutely stunning goal at the stroke of the half-time.

80' - We enter the last 10 minutes of the match as the score still stands 1-0 in favor of the Kolkata side. Gokulam Kerala FC, despite losing Rohit Mirza and being down to 10 men, have managed to hold their own and still have a chance to rescue a point from the game.

73' - Francis Ambane who came on as an early sub is now subbed out for Laldampuia as Gokulam go in search of the equalizer.

71' - Charles De Souza comes on for Bazie Armand as Jamil makes a defensive change.

68' - Bilal to the rescue!! Plaza is found in the box by a good ball from the right and the Trinidadian pulls the trigger but the Kerala side's keeper saves his effort and the ball is away from danger.

65' - Surabudding Mollick gets away on the left wing with acres of space and has Plaza alongside him but chooses to go for the glory but messes up his effort.

58' - Yusa is substituted off now as young Surabudding Mollick comes on for the home side.

53' - What do we have here!! The referee has changed his decision and shown the red card now to Mirza as both the players are now being stretchered off. Both teams with 10 men now.

51' - Rohit Mirza is sent off for an incredibly cynical kick on Yusa as the East Bengal bench and players protest to the referee as they think it should have been a red. Arnab Mondal, the East Bengal skipper looks vehemently angry at the decision.

45' - The second half action is underway in Kolkata as Gokulam Kerala FC trail by a single goal after a spirited second half performance.

Half Time
Kingfisher East Bengal 1 - 0 Gokulam Kerala FC

Mohd. Rafique's stunner at the end of the first half is the difference between the two sides as we come to the conclusion of a well-contested 45 minutes at the Salt Lake Stadium.

45' - Two minutes have been indicated as extra time at the end of the first half.

44' - WOAHH!! What a strike!! A corner from Al-Amna is cleared by the Kerala defence but Rafique is there on the top of the box. He chests the ball down and takes a half-volley that rises into the top corner as Bilal Khan is unable to keep the belter out despite getting a hand to it. What a way to break the deadlock!!!

37' - Ambane with a curling shot from the edge of the box on the right that rattles the side-netting. The substitute has been impressive since coming on and has been instrumental in the Kerala attack.

31' - Half an hour mark passes in Kolkata as the Red & Golds continue their search for the deadlock-breaker with GKFC displaying good resilience in defense so far in the match.

30' - Plaza chases a long deep ball into the Kerala defense but the last man is up to the task of keeping the KEB frontman out and makes a crucial tackle.

25' - Ambane's corner is dealt well by Barreto in the East Bengal goal. The away side looking confident on the counter and look to catch the Red & Golds with surprise.

20' - The initial 20 minutes have seen East Bengal struggling to assert their control on the game as the away side have been stable in defense and have maintained their shape to keep the famed East Bengal attack quiet.

17' - HIT THE WOODWORK!! An incredible strike from Ambane as a brilliant free-kick from the substitute hits the crossbar as Barreto just looks the ball come off and the East Bengal defense clears the ball away from any further danger.

14' - SAVE!! A corner from Yusa is initially cleared but the looping ball is cheekily volleyed by Rafique as Khan is almost caught off his line but just manages to put the ball away for another corner.

10' - Khalid Ansaleh goes out injured as Ambane Moubourou comes on in an early forced change for Bino George's Gokulam Kerala FC.

5' - Kamo Bayi tries to find Mirza in a good counter move but Salam Singh is back to clear the danger and punts the ball out for a throw-in.

1' - And we're up and running at the VYBK as the home side are in their traditional Red and Gold and play from left to right whereas Gokulam are in the neon green kit with black shorts.

Can East Bengal continue their winning run after their loss to Mohun Bagan in the Kolkata Derby. Meanwhile, Gokulam won their first game last week against Indian Arrows.

Five minutes left for the kick-off as we get set for the action from Kolkata at the Salt Lake Stadium.

Kamo Bayi is back from injury for the Gokulam Kerala side and will be raring to get going in the I-League.

Gokulam Kerala FC are at the eight spot in the I-League standings with 4 points from their four games so far. They have won one, lost two and drawn one of their games.

Kingfisher East Bengal has a shot at going atop the I-League standings today as league leaders Minerva Punjab FC lost their first game today against defending champions Aizawl FC in Mizoram. The Kolkata giants are ahead in the goal difference and will climb to the summit if they get all the three points tonight.

.@GokulamKeralaFC at the Pre Match warm up session. #HeroILeague #KEBvGKFC pic.twitter.com/myAyT3PBq3
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 27, 2017

.@eastbengalfc sweating it out before the clash against @GokulamKeralaFC.#HeroILeague #KEBvGKFC pic.twitter.com/5fGWILcNBY
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 27, 2017

#KEBvGKFC
Starting XI#HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/OmYibvdLiu
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) December 27, 2017

Gokulam Kerala FC Subs:
Moubourou, Ashik, Bernard, Irshad, Laldampuia, Sanju, Shinu

East Bengal FC Subs:
Armand, Ghosh, Michu, Lalramchullova, Mollick, Lobo, Brandon V

Gokulam Kerala FC Starting XI:
Khan(GK), Addo, Chigozie, Lakra, Singh, Rashid, Jayaraj, Meitei, Alsaleh, Mirza, Bayi

East Bengal FC Starting XI:
Luis Barretto(GK), Singh, Ferreira, Mondal, Sarkar, Ralte, Al-Amna, Rafique, Katsumi, Plaza, Charles

The lineups are out and all the details will be brought to you right here...

East Bengal will play their sixth match of the I-League season whereas their counterparts will take the field for the fifth time this season.

Welcome to tonight's Hero I-League action as East Bengal take on league newcomers Gokulam Kerala FC at the YBK Stadium in Kolkata.

East Bengal will be looking to go joint top of the I-League table as they prepare to face Gokulam Kerala FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, tonight.

The Red and Golds had started off their season in a poor manner, with a draw against Aizawl FC and a loss at the hands of Mohun Bagan, but they have managed to resurrect their title challenge, winning three matches on the trot. In this run of three matches, they managed a couple of narrow wins against Churchill Brothers and Chennai City FC, while mauling Shillong Lajong 5-1 at home.

Meanwhile, Gokulam are languishing third from bottom, just above Chennai City FC and Churchill Brothers. The side from Kerala have not shown much form so far this season, but have managed to get the odd points with a solitary win against the Indian Arrows and a draw against Chennai City FC. They could be in for more trouble against East Bengal, as they may miss the services of their captain and forward Sushanth Mathew.