Kalyani, March 21: Gokulam Kerala FC rode on Dennis Antwi’s brace to defeat Mohammedan Sporting 2-1 and stay in the race for the I League title here on Sunday.The win helped the Malabarians to go level on points (26) with Churchill Brothers and TRAU at the top of the I-League table. Antwi struck in the 19th and 33rd minutes, while Sujit Sadhu had pulled a goal back for the Black Panthers in the 85th minute.
The I-League title will now be decided on the last day of the season with three teams in contention to lift the trophy — Gokulam Kerala, Churchill Brothers and TRAU FC. With Churchill and TRAU sharing points earlier in the day with a 1-1 draw, Gokulam Kerala had to win their match against Mohammedan Sporting in order to be in the title race and they did just that.
Mohammedan were pinned by Gokulam Kerala with their usual style of holding on to possession and building from the back. In the 15th minute, much against the run of play, the Black Panthers had a chance to take the lead. Shilton DSilva latched onto a corner kick and released a thunderous volley that was saved well by the opposition goalkeeper.
The Dennis Antwi show began in the 19th minute and at the end of half-time, two goals by the forward aided Gokulam to go in the half-time leading 2-0. First, in the 19th minute, Antwi latched onto a long ball by Sebastian and controlled it well, shielding it away from the opposition defensive line.
In a remarkable fashion, he turned inside out and sent a powerful shot into the bottom corner to hand the Malabarians the lead. The Ghanaian made it 2-0 in the 33rd minute. He turned Faisal Ali inside out once more and blasted a venomous shot past the opposition goalkeeper to double Gokulam’s lead.
Mohammedan had a late chance in the first half but Faisal Ali’s strike from distance made for easy picking by the opposition goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, a high-octane top-of-the-table clash between TRAU and Churchill Brothers ended in a 1-1 draw here on Sunday after Luka Majcen’s 28th minute strike was cancelled out by Phalguni Singh’s 43rd minute effort as the teams shared the points. Although TRAU stay on top of the I-League table, they are level on points (26) with Churchill Brothers.
Later, Punjab defeated Real Kashmir 1-0. (PTI)22
