Gokulam Kerala creates history, wins the 129th edition of Durand Cup by beating Mohun Bagan
The 2019 Durand Cup final was all about Marcus Joseph, whose 10th and 11th goal of the tournament proved to be enough for Gokulam Kerala in a dramatic title clash Vs Mohun Bagan, at Salt Lake Stadium, today.
Marcus Joseph was the South Indian side’s hero, scoring a brace which completely silenced the local supporters. Meanwhile, Salva Chamorro scored Bagan’s solitary goal of the evening.
The win also marked the famous trophy’s return to Kerala after nearly 25 years, while Bagan will have to still wait for another record 17th Durand title.
FULL-TIME! The 1⃣2⃣9⃣th edition of the #DurandCup ? comes to an end, and we have a new champion! ?
Congratulations, @GokulamKeralaFC ????
GKFC 2-1 MB#GKFCMB ⚔ #DurandCup ? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/f1N3q9geMp
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) August 24, 2019
Antonio ‘Kibu’ Vicuna made two changes in the Mohun Bagan starting XI which defeated Real Kashmir in the semifinal. Last match’s hero VP Suhair replaced Alexander Jesuraj Romario upfront and Debjit Majumder replaced Sankar Roy at the goal.
After a goalless 45 minutes, Gokulam’s Henry Kissaka was fouled inside the box at injury-time by Bagan keeper Debjit Majumdar resulting in a penalty.
Forward Joseph stepped up to take the spot-kick scoring his tenth goal of the tournament.
.@GokulamKeralaFC ride the wave of a brace from Marcus Joseph to down @Mohun_Bagan and become the champions ?? of the #DurandCup 2019!#MBvGKFC #DurandCup #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/Snwoe7GEV4
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 24, 2019
In the second half, Joseph struck again in the 51st minute from a brilliant through pass from Naocha Singh and made it 2-0.
But Bagan pulled one back in the 64th minute as Gokulam custodian CK Ubaid made a terrible mistake. Ubaid spilled the ball into the goal as Salva Chamorro hit a shot straight at him.
In the 87th minute, Gokulam’s Jestin George was sent off as he received a second yellow for a nasty tackle on Kima.
Golden ? ➡ Ubaid
Golden ? & ? ➡ Marcus Joseph???#GKFCMB ⚔ #DurandCup ? #IndianFootball ⚽ pic.twitter.com/X5zyEherBG
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) August 24, 2019
Gokulam became the second outfit from Kerala after FC Cochin in 1997 to win the oldest football tournament in Asia and the third oldest in the world.
Gokulam head coach Fernando Valera had said that it will be a battle of nerves in the clash between two I-League outfits.
“It’ll be a battle of nerves what I feel. We had played the game against East Bengal with responsibility. Now, we don’t want to lose our focus before the final,” Valera had said.
⚡️?C.H.A.M.P.I.O.N.S. ?⚡️
Kerala, we are bringing back something special for you! ???#Malabarians #GKFC #DurandCupChampions pic.twitter.com/eEpyTIQsKl
— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) August 24, 2019