Gokulam Kerala FC kickstart their Durand Cup 2023 campaign today against Indian Air Force at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.The Malabarians will also look to get their campaign off to a positive start, given it's a tough group with Kerala Blasters, whom they play next in the Kerala Derby and defending champions Bengaluru FC, are also in this Group C.
The Indian Air Force on other hand can be hard to break down, especially in the early-stages of the tournament and have quite a few players who have been part of the national circuit for a long time now.

The final whistle blows in Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Gokulam start off with a victory over Indian Air Force and have three points on board.
Six minutes added on at the end of 90 minutes. Gokulam are on the brink of starting their Durand Cup campaign with a victory. And that could have been 3rd for Kerala, but Shibin makes a superb save from Abhijith.
Finally, Indian Air Force create a chance but the shot is saved by Tmawia. Just two minutes to go in the match, and GKFC are leading 2-0 at the moment.
Aminou Bouba is coming off while Salam Ranjan Singh comes on for Gokulam Kerala. Just five minutes to go in the Group C Durand Cup match in Kolkata.
Alejandro Sanchez takes a shot but Shibin denies him with a superb save. That had goal written all over it but the Indian Air Force keeper makes tremendous glove work.
It has been mostly a quiet affair between the two sides. Indian Air Force have never really threatened, while Gokulam have also lacked consistent attacking prowess. The Kerala-based I league club makes a change as Basit comes off and Shilton De Silva comes on.
Goaaaal!! What an excellent goal from Shreekuttan VS. The Gokulam Kerala player cuts in and then curls one past Shibin to double the Gokulam lead.
A host of changes made by Gokulam Kerala in the meantime. Rahul Raju is stretchered off and the player seems dehydrated.
Nili Perdomo found Sourav in the box but Sourav's attempted back heel is intercepted by IAF defender. Sourav is about to be taken off as Shijin is ready to come on.
Gokulam's Sourav is down injured. The medical team arrives to check on him and the player is complaining something around his groin. It is to be seen if the goalscorer can continue in the match.
Sourav tries to produce another magic moment for Gokulam Kerala but Indian Air Force defenders have been solid at the back.
Five minutes of the second half dusted and Alejandro Sanchez is trying to inspire the Gokulam Kerala side to get their 2nd goal. One goal margin is never safe and that's why they need a cushion.
Nili Perdomo makes a fantastic run for Gokulam, but his cut back towards Alex Sanchez is crucially intercepted by IAF defender Amal Dhas.
The 2nd half started at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Gokulam Kerala start with a goal advantage.
It is half time in Kolkata and Gokulam Kerala are leading with the solitary goal from Sourav. It was poor goalkeeping from the IAF keeper Shibin which kind of gifted Gokulam the goal.
An Indian Air Force player is down after colliding with Gokulam player Basit. We are approaching the final legs of the first half, and it is the I-league side Gokulam with a slender lead.
And Gokulam could have scored again. Alex Sanchez came inside from the left hand side and his attempt to finish on the near post is just wide. Gokulam are threatening now and looking likely to score again.
Goaaaaal!! Gokulam Kerala take the lead and it is a gift to them. Shibin, the IAF keeper makes a howler and a seemingly tame shot from Sourav ends up at the back of the net.
Alex Sanchez was found by Perdomo, but Sanchez's cut back hit an IAF defender and their keeper Shibin then gratefully grabs the ball.
Noufal switches the ball to the right side and Bouba comes forward, but the IAF defense has been shutting them down. Gokulam have had overwhelming possession, but they are not finding anything in front of goal.
A decent cross from Noufal from the left-hand side, but Sourav tries a volley and then meets it horribly wrong as the ball ends up way off target. Gokulam Kerala are yet to find the breakthrough as we have played 25 minutes in Kolkata.
Sourav was excellent there for Gokulam. The no. 11 made a superb run and beat three IAF players and found Alex Sanchez. But Nili Perdomo blazes his shot over as the danger clears for Indian Air Force.
Nili Perdomo takes a dree kick but the ball balloons over the goal post for a goal kick. Poor effort from the Gokulam player.
Amal Dhas defends well there to keep the ball out for a corner. The corner from Gokulam was not good and Aminou Bouba loses the ball out.
A good move on the left from Air Force through Arashpreet Singh, and the ball goes out for a corner, first of the match. They fail to create anything significant from the corner though.
A lot is depending on the Gokulam Kerala captain Alex Sanchez. Five minutes gone in the first half and it is 0-0 in Kolkata.
Gokulam have made a promising start and they take the first shot from Sourav, who blazes his shot over though.
Lineup
The lineups are ready. ⚽
— Durand Cup (@thedurandcup) August 9, 2023
Get ready to witness a football extravaganza. 🏆#IndianOilDurandCup #DurandCup2023 #132ndEditionofDurandCup #DurandCupPoweredByCoalIndiaLtd #IndianFootball #IndianFootballForwardTogether #ManyChampionsOneLegacy #GKFCIAFFT pic.twitter.com/2SCpMlt9lB
We are about to start at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Two teams will be hoping for a positive start in the tournament.
Gokulam Lineup
🔥 Lineup Unveiled! GKFC is all set to take on Indian Air Force in the Durand Cup clash#DurandCup #GameTime #GKFCSeasonOpener #GKFC #malabarians pic.twitter.com/aI3GZPwUAn
— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) August 9, 2023
Master Warrant Officer Priya Darshan, coach of the IAFFT said ahead of the game, "It is an important game for us and we will definitely try to grab three points. Our attacking style of play will be key to victory for us. We have a squad of experienced and young players with the mindset of winning by exhibiting skills and fitness."
For Gokulam, a lot will rest on how their midfield links up with their forward line. The talented Arjun Jayaraj and Shilton Da Silva along with Spaniard Francisco Borges form the bulwark of that midfield who will look to supply the likes of Naro Hari Shrestha and Noufal P.N upfront among others.