Gokulam Kerala FC Reserve team has won the Bodousa Cup football tournament, defeating Minerva Punjab FC, 5-4 (2-2) in the final held in Tinsukia in Assam on Friday.
Another cup, another glory! #GKFC #Malabarians pic.twitter.com/aE98GknOAA
— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) October 4, 2019
Both the teams ended the full time on parity with two goals each and the match was extended to penalty shootout. It was Minerva Punjab FC that scored the opener in the second minute as their Brazilian winger Sergio Barboza found the net.
GKFC shook off the early shock and tried for an equaliser. Finally in the 31 st minute Zuala headed in a corner to make it 1-1. Minerva Punjab tried their best to regain their lost lead and they subbed in new signing Sanju Pradhan in the second half.
Sanju helped Minerva Punjab to dominate and the I-League team started to create several chances. However, Gokulam defensive line held their composure to ward off Minerva attacks.
Beautin Antony, who was signed from Chennai City, gave Gokulam, 2-1, lead as he scored a stunner near from the D area to the right corner of the post. GKFC tried to keep hold on to the slender margin and they almost was successful.
But Minerva’s Giri Khosla killed off GKFC’s hopes of an outright win as he headed in a rebound off a corner in the injury time to extend the match into the penalty shootout, in which GKFC goalkeeper Satyajit Bordoloi made three saves to help the team win the title.
GKFC reserve squad started their Bodousa Cup campaign on September 28. The reserve side started with superb result defeating Barekuri FC , 9-0. In the quarterfinal GKFC trounced Sripujya FC, 3-1.
The reserve team then defeated Sagoband United, 2-1, to enter the final, in which they faced Minerva Punjab FC.
This is the second tournament Gokulam Kerala FC winning this season. Earlier, GKFC first team had won the prestigious Durand Cup held in Kolkata. Recently the first team, which is now preparing for the upcoming I-League, drew with ISL side Mumbai FC, 1-1, and defeated Bengaluru FC 3-1.
