Super Cup: First-half goals drive Punjab past Gokulam Kerala

Bambolim: Punjab FC made a bright start to their Super Cup campaign with a 3-0 win against Gokulam Kerala FC at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Monday

Muhammad Suhail forced an own goal from Gursimrat Singh in the second minute itself, and when captain Nikhil Prabhu headed the second from a corner kick inside ten minutes, Gokulam Kerala were pushed against the wall. Princeton Rebello then made it 3-0 before half-time to put an end to the match as a contest.

Gokulam Kerala put up an improved performance in the second half and came close to scoring their first competitive goal of the season. But poor finishing coupled with some good goalkeeping meant they ended up drawing a blank. Significantly, the Kerala side have now not scored in three games, across two national competitions.

At least at the start, Punjab looked a far better side than the one that made a racy start to the Indian Super League (ISL) but faded out towards the end to miss out on qualification to the playoffs last season. Now with two senior internationals and two U-23 stars in the team, Panagiotis Dilmperis’ squad looked to constantly push forward.

Gokulam Kerala, the third I-League side in the competition, would have been inspired by the performances of champions Inter Kashi and Dempo SC, both of whom secured fighting draws with all-Indian squads. But the two-time former champions were found wanting, despite three foreigners in the starting lineup and four in the second half.

To add to their woes, Trijoy Dias, a second-half substitute, was sent off in the closing stages of the match for a raised-foot challenge.

Punjab and Gokulam Kerala have known each other since their days in the I-League, and it were the former who started on the front foot, as if determined to show they are now a top tier team. In the second minute, Suhail made a clever run down the left flank before flashing a low ball across the face of goal. Gokulam defender Gursimrat stuck his leg out, only to divert the ball into his own net, past an outstretched Shibinraj Kunniyil.

It was a tough blow to take at the start.

When the match was ten minutes old, Punjab struck again. This time it was from a corner-kick as captain Prabhu outjumped his marker to head home Princeton’s perfect kick.

Princeton, the provider for the earlier goal, then himself added another one, just before the change of ends. Making a comeback from injury, the former FC Goa midfielder picked up a pass just outside the box and then sent a grounder that gave no chance to the goalkeeper.

As Punjab relaxed in the second half with coach Dilmperis asking his players, “hey, what is this,” Gokulam Kerala were an improved lot, asking several questions of their opponents. Juan Carlos’s header from close range was saved by the goalkeeper and Alfred Moya’s powerful freekick also didn’t fetch expected result.

Gokulam did have a ‘goal’ from a cornerkick, only to be ruled out for a foul.