Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala Match Result, Kalinga Super Cup 2024: Abdenasser El Khayati Puts On Stellar Show For Depleted MCFC

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Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala Match Result: Kalinga Super Cup 2024 Group C Round 1 got underway on Thursday (January 11) with title contenders Mumbai City FC defeating Gokulam Kerala 2-1 in a comeback win at the Kalinga Stadium Pitch 1 in Bhubaneswar.

Abdenasser El Khayati was the star of the match as the Dutchman assisted the equaliser to Ayush Chhikara in the 76th minute before scoring the winning goal from a penalty kick late in the added minute (90+8'). Before the two second-half goals, Gokulam Kerala looked all set for three points after Alex Sanchez gave them the lead in the 23rd minute.

The game settled into a pattern where Mumbai City consistently probed Gokulam's defense and hogged the ball. Gokulam, who occasionally found it difficult to even escape their half, had severe difficulties as a result of their relentless pressing and desire to win the second ball.

Despite the dominant start, Gokulam forwards kept lurking on the counter and eventually scored inside 25 minutes through their star forward Alex Sanchez, who headed in from close range after goalkeeper Phurba Lachenpa committed an error as Aminou Bouba headed a long freekick on target.

There was a moment of controversy in the match when Valpuia headed in a corner kick by Yoel van Nieff unmarked at the far post. The goal stood only for a few seconds as the linesman had a chat with the referee right after and said there was pushing by an MCFC player on a Gokulam player inside the box.

After no further clear chances in the first half, Mumbai had a lot of possession in the second half and kept trying to equalise, but they produced few good opportunities. In the 70th minute, substitute Seilenthang Lotjem had a great long-range attempt that went just wide.

Gokulam performed their counterattack role flawlessly. In the 72nd minute, on their first corner of the match, Bouba nearly increased their lead, as he beat his marker in an aerial duel again but his header hit the crossbar. Barely four minutes later, that miss cost them dearly as El Khayati's superb play set up the substitute Ayush Chhikara, who scored from a tight angle into the far corner to tie the score for Mumbai City.

Heartbreak for Gokulam followed in the stoppage time as forward Alberto Nogueira was fouled by Basit Ahmad inside the box after the Spanish made a 180-degree turn from the left side to enter the box. Khayati took his time to take the penalty and sent Abhilash Paul the wrong way to seal the win.