New Delhi: Gokulam Kerala FC posted their first win of the I-League, beating Indian Arrows 2-0 at the Ambedkar Stadium here today.
Ghanian Daniel Addo (11th minute) and Syrian Khaled Alsaleh (64th) scored for the visitors.
It was Arrows’ third loss on the bounce, leaving them ninth on the standings with three points from four matches. Gokulam are seventh with four from as many matches.
In the first half, Gokulam were the more attacking side though the Arrows showed initial enterprise.
Kerala’s centre-back Addo gave them the lead, jumping high above everyone, off a Rohit Mirza corner from the left flank to drill a header home.
In the 35th minute, Gokulam’s Syrian recruit Khaled Alsaleh put Rohit Mirza through on the right. His attempt to break in was thwarted illegally by Anwar Ali, just outside the box. Khaled fired in a left-footer but it was blocked.
The Arrows began the second half with a lot more intent, winning three corners and a couple of set pieces.
In the 58th minute, a 30-yard free-kick from Sanjeev Stalin beat Gokulam keeper Bilal but struck the upright, in what was the Arrows’ best chance of the game.
Alsaleh then curled a looping left-footer, which beat everyone including Dheeraj in goal, to double Gokulam’s lead in the 64th minute.
East Bengal move to second
East Bengal moved into the second spot with a 2-1 away win over Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore.
Katsumi Yusa (28th minute) broke the deadlock while Charles de Souza (31st) scored soon after. Alexander Romario Jesuraj (43rd) got Chennai’s only goal in their first home game of the season.
East Bengal, with 10 points from five matches, trail leaders Minerva Punjab FC by three points.
They next face Gokulam Kerala FC at home while seventh-placed Chennai City travel to Kolkata to face Mohun Bagan.
