Matchday 3 got underway with the South Indian derby between Gokulam Kerala and Chennai City FC at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala.
Chennai City sat at second in the table with 4 points, behind table-toppers East Bengal FC while Gokulam were placed sixth with two points from as many games.
The home side was looking for their first win of the season as they took on their South Indian rivals, who were looking to top the table for the time being.
And the game did not disappoint as Chennai City came through with a 3-2 win in a five-goal thriller.
Gokulam Kerala vs Chennai City FC
Gokulam Kerala ( 4-2-3-1 )
A change in formation for the home side as Bino George made two changes in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Mohammed Rashid and Rajesh S were relegated to the bench. Arjun Jayaraj and Suhair were named in the starting line-up as Jayaraj was placed behind Suhair who started up front as the lone striker.
Chennai City FC (4-2-3-1)
Akbar Nawas replaced the injured midfielder Michael Regin with young talent Pravitto Raju in an otherwise unchanged starting lineup for Chennai City.
Antonio German’s penalty spot-kick in the 4th minute gave the hosts an early lead after the referee spotted a push by Roberto on Carlos.
After the early setback, the away side created a few chances as Manzi was denied by the post. In the 22nd minute Pravitto Raju levelled the scores as Chennai continued their dominance over the home side. Chennai finally took the lead at the half an hour mark as Manzi who was denied by the post earlier, scored an easy tap-in.
At the hour mark, the visitors doubled the lead as substitute Amiruddeen sent the ball into the net past an onrushing Shibinraj.
But the home side did not back down as Suhair gave them some hopes of a comeback in the 70th minute as he curled the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box. But the equaliser remained elusive. There was some added drama deep into stoppage time when Mudde Musa was given a straight red card for his challenge on Amiruddeen. Chennai’s defence held firm and added three more points to top the table for now.
Up next for Gokulam is a home game against the exciting Shillong Lajong on November 11 while Chennai City will take on East Bengal in a top of the table clash away from home on November 13.
