Kerala Premier League Roundup: Matchday 6 [30/03-03/04]

Kovalam FC vs FC Kerala; Picture Credit: FC Kerala

Kerala Blasters Reserves stretch their lead at the top of Group A; Gokulam Kerala continue to dominate Group B while FC Kerala and Shooters United Padne are in the race for second spot at the end of Matchday 6 of the Kerala Premier League 2019.

GROUP A

FC Thrissur cruise past FC Kochi

Group A, 30 March 2019, Thrissur: FC Thrissur 2-0 RFC Kochi

A first half brace by the Ghanaian Santa Cruz was enough to secure all three points for the home side. The goals came in the 18th and 37th minute.

With the win, FC Thrissur have seven points from three games having won twice and drawn once. They remain strong contenders for the top two spots in Group A especially after today’s result against their closest rivals FC Kochi.

Kerala Blasters Reserves go top of Group A

Group A, 31 March 2019, Ernakulam: Kerala Blasters FC [R] 1-0 SAT Tirur

Kerala Blasters Reserves picked up another win to top the group in a game where they didn’t have to do much to get all three points. SAT Tirur gifted an own goal in the 38th minute to the home side and the Blasters’ defence stood tall to pick up a clean sheet and a win.

Sports Academy Tirur have lost their way a bit this league campaign. This is their third loss and they lost to the same opposition a week ago in the reverse fixture. They now sit in fourth place in Group A with the semi-final play-off spot (top 2 places) looking out of reach.

FC Thrissur fall to their first defeat

Group A, 3 April 2019, Thrissur: FC Thrissur 1-2 Kerala Blasters FC [R]

FC Thrissur went down against an in-form Kerala Blasters [R] side at home.

It was the hosts who took the lead in the 43rd minute with Vishnu Raj getting on the scoresheet. However, it was immediately cancelled out by Jithin MS in the 44th minute.

Jithin MS hails from Thrissur and used to turn up for FC Kerala – another football club based out of Thrissur. The forward had also led Kerala to the Santosh Trophy title last season.

He was influential in today’s game and scored a second goal late in the second half (86′) to help his side to a win.

After suffering a heavy defeat against FC Kochi in their first game of the season, the Blasters have turned it around and look like the first team into the semi-final playoffs from Group A.

GROUP B

FC Kerala pick up their second win on the trot

Group B, 31 March 2019, Trivandrum: Kovalam FC 0-1 FC Kerala

FC Kerala have emerged as strong contenders for the semi-final play off spot after picking up a win against Kovalam FC. This is their third win of the campaign. Barring their loss to Gokulam Kerala FC earlier in the season, they have won against the rest of the opponents in the group.

The solitary goal which won the away side the game came in the 30th minute and the goal scorer was the Nigerian Ekomobong Victor Philip who has been prolific this season.

Shooters United back on target at home

Group B, 31 March 2019, Kasaragod: Shooters United Padne 3-2 Golden Threads FC

After losing two away games consecutively, KPL debutantes Shooters United picked off Golden Threads FC in a game where both teams did enough to win.

It was Golden Threads who took the lead in the 36th minute courtesy Issahak Sayed*. Shooters United pulled a goal back to level the scores a few minutes later (40′) with Muhammad Razi getting on the score sheet.

Early in the second half, the home side broke the deadlock with Vishnu scoring in the 48th minute. Not to be undone, Golden Threads would level the scores in the 68th minute with Issahak getting his brace.

A late goal by Afsar in the 88th minute would finally break Golden Threads’ resistance and give the home side their third win of the season.

Golden Threads do a double over Kovalam FC

Group B, 3 April 2019, Ernakulam: Golden Threads FC 3-1 Kovalam FC

After a run of four defeats, Golden Threads finally picked up only their second win of the season. Their first win had come against the same opposition in the reverse fixture at the start of the season.

Issahak scored his second brace in as many games to help his team to a win. The third goal came from an own goal and Kovalam FC got themselves a consolation as the game ended in favour of the home team.

Both teams are at the bottom of Group B with Kovalam FC yet to register a point.

Gokulam Kerala FC can’t stop winning

Group B, 3 April 2019, Kasaragod: Shooters United Padne 1-2 Gokulam Kerala FC

Gokulam Kerala continued their impressive campaign in the Kerala Premier League with a win over new entrants Shooters United Padne. They’ve won all seven matches they’ve played so far and their last group encounter is against FC Kerala on April 6.

The defending champions took the lead in the 32nd minute with Shihad who has been prolific this season getting himself a goal. Shooters United got themselves level with Vishnu scoring in the 75th minute.

The game looked like it was heading to a draw until the 20 year old Ghanaian forward Christian Sabah popped up to score the winner in the last minute of normal time.

*Name hasn’t been verified.

GROUP A TABLE/STANDINGS

pos team p w d l gf ga gd pts 1 Kerala Blasters [R] 6 4 1 1 10 8 +2 13 2 FC Thrissur 4 2 1 1 7 5 +2 7 3 FC Kochi 5 2 1 2 10 9 +1 7 4 SAT Tirur 7 1 2 4 7 11 −4 5 5 SBI Kerala 4 0 3 1 5 6 −1 3 6 Indian Navy 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

GROUP B TABLE/STANDINGS

pos team p w d l gf ga gd pts 1 Gokulam Kerala FC 7 7 0 0 14 4 +10 21 2 FC Kerala 4 3 0 1 11 4 +7 9 3 Shooters United 6 3 0 3 11 10 +1 9 4 Golden Threads FC 7 2 0 5 9 19 −10 6 5 Kovalam FC 6 0 0 6 2 10 −8 0

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