KOLKATA: Gokulam Kerala FC defeated Kerala Blasters in the Durand Cup football match that saw a goal fest with a total of seven goals scored in 90 minutes. With the win, Gokulam jumped to the top spot in the group with six points. Gokulam had earlier defeated Air Force in the first group match.

Amino Bouba, Srikuttan, and Abhijith scored for Gokulam, while Blasters player Naocha scored an own goal that proved to be the icing on the cake for Gokulam. Emmanuel Justin, Prabir Das, and Adrian Luna netted for Kerala Blasters.

Gokulam took the lead in the 17th minute through Bouba. Pedromo played the assist for Bouba to carry out a clinical finish. Blasters equalized through Emmanuel in the 36th minute but failed to hold it for long. Gokulam took the lead again in the 43rd minute through Srikuttan. However, in the injury time of the first half, Naocha’s error created an own goal taking Gokulam to further its lead to 3-1.

Blasters started the second half eyeing a return back to goals but suffered yet again in front of Gokulam's ferocious attack. Abhijit scored in the 47th minute from a sublime cross that came from the boot of Alex Sanchez. Blasters showed signs of valor adding two more goals, but couldn't stop the win from going Gokulam’s way. This was Kerala Blasters' first match in the group and interestingly, it was another Kerala team that downed Blasters' hunt for their first silverware title.

Gokulam's next match is against Bengaluru FC on the 22nd of this month.