Gokulam Kerala looked like a changed team. Dimitris Dimitriou’s boys played with power, attacked with purpose and were just too fast for Dempo SC.
All that paid off as Gokulam won 2-0 at the Payyanad Stadium here on Friday, that too despite missing a penalty. The first win of the season could not have come sooner.
After the disappointing loss to Sreenidi Deccan here last week, it needed a performance – and a result – like this. Although it was Dempo who started better and put the home defense under pressure, Gokulam went ahead after Moses Lalrinzuala’s goal in the 19th minute.
The second goal was scored from the spot by Mirjalol Kasimov, who led the team admirably in the absence of the injured Nili Perdomo.
Another key foreign player, John Kennedy, was also ruled out due to injury. But Moses (his replacement), Rahul Raju and Trijoy Dias made sure those big names were not missed.
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Rahul’s pace in particular created anxious moments in Dempo’s defense, while Moses always looked dangerous as he created chances for Thabiso Brown. But Moses did the right thing by aiming straight at the post, just outside the penalty area, after overcoming a pair of defenders to give his team the lead.
Brown’s kick from the spot was not only solid enough, as goalkeeper Ashish Sibi made amends for his mistake, which had cost his team the penalty. But Kasimov didn’t give him a chance.
Gokulam’s custodian K. Shibinraj also put up a great show. Dimitriou, in his second game as coach, must be a relieved man.
The scores:
Gokulam Kerala 2 (Moses Lalrinzuala 19, Mirjalol Kasimov 84-pen) bt Dempo SC 0.
Published on March 20, 2026
