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Kovalam defender Ranjith, left, dispossesses Gokulam Kerala ahead Mensah of the ball of their Kerala Premier League semifinal match in Kalpetta on Tuesday. Mensah later scored Gokulam’s match-winner.
| Picture Credit score: Particular Association
Ghanaian Samuel Mensah’s aim, within the fifth minute of damage time, helped Gokulam Kerala FC pull off a 1-0 victory over Kovalam FC within the first of their double-leg semifinal of the Kerala Premier League soccer on the M.Okay. Jinachandran Stadium right here on Tuesday.
Simply when the match gave the impression to be headed to a draw, got here the clincher after a transfer from the left. Mensah trapped the ball together with his proper foot after which tapped it in together with his left as Gokulam heaved a sigh of aid.
Regardless of the victory, it was Kovalam — which had misplaced the earlier encounter between the 2 0-4 within the super-six stage and which received a last-minute berth into the semifinals after Kerala Police left its seat vacant — which stole the present with its daring efficiency.
Goalkeeper Amal Thomas placed on a sterling present to disclaim Gokulam’s international stars Mensah and Nigerian Godfrey West repeatedly, a show which introduced him the player-of-the-match award.
Taller and stronger, Gokulam moved up comfortably within the first half, advancing usually by the left flank with Bibin Ajayan, Okay. Abhijith and Dilip Orawn combining nicely. However there weren’t many crosses into the field.
Determined for a aim, Gokulam pushed tougher within the second half with right-back Lastborn Mawphinlang transferring up and sending many lengthy balls into the field. After one such transfer, across the fiftieth minute, Thomas got here up with a effective diving save to disclaim Mensah.
And across the hour-mark, Gokulam ahead Godfrey West was unfortunate to see his shot, off a nook, hit the left submit.
After this, the Kovalam boys strengthened their defence and marked West and Mensah nicely, making life troublesome for the forwards. However issues modified within the damage time.
The consequence: Gokulam Kerala FC 1 (Samuel Mensah 90+4) bt Kovalam FC 0.
