Sreenidi Deccan FC secured a hard-fought 1–0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC in Match 14 of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025–26 at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri on Saturday.
A decisive second-half strike from Fabrice Kah in the 54th minute proved enough to separate the two sides in a closely contested encounter. The result lifted Sreenidi Deccan provisionally to the top of the league standings with six points from three matches, while Gokulam Kerala slipped to 10th place with two points from three games.
Tactical Changes for Both Teams
The match marked the first game in charge for Gokulam Kerala head coach Dimitris Dimitriou, who made two changes to the starting lineup. Midfielder Kingslee Fernandes and striker John Kennedy were brought into the side, replacing Aman C.K. and Mirjalol Kasimov. Sreenidi Deccan coach Carlos Vaz Pinto also made adjustments to his squad.
Kamaljit Singh started in goal in place of Aryan Lamba, while Deepak D.P. replaced Muhammad Hammad in defence. In midfield, Ajay Chhetri was handed a starting role ahead of Lalthankhuma.
The opening half was characterised by a tight midfield battle, with both teams struggling to establish attacking momentum. Defensive organisation remained strong on both sides, limiting clear scoring opportunities. Possession frequently changed hands as both teams attempted to control the tempo, but neither side was able to create sustained pressure in the attacking third.
As open-play chances proved difficult to create, set-pieces became the primary source of attacking threat. Sreenidi Deccan came close when David Castañeda and Hadi Idrissou each found space from corner kicks, but both players missed free headers that could have given the visitors an early lead. Gokulam Kerala also threatened from similar situations, but their attempts failed to trouble the Sreenidi defence significantly.
Despite moments of promise from both teams, the first half ended goalless, reflecting the cautious and evenly balanced nature of the contest.
Sreenidi Break the Deadlock
Sreenidi Deccan began the second half with greater attacking intent, pushing higher up the pitch and looking to exploit spaces in the Gokulam defence. Their pressure paid off nine minutes after the restart. Colombian forward David Castañeda received the ball at the edge of the penalty area but found himself blocked by defender Amid Arezou. Instead of forcing a shot, Castañeda cleverly rolled the ball across the six-yard box.
The pass caught the Gokulam defenders off guard, and Fabrice Kah reacted quickest, bundling the ball into the net to give Sreenidi Deccan a crucial 1–0 lead in the 54th minute.
Missed Opportunity to Extend Lead
The visitors nearly doubled their advantage shortly after the opening goal. Former Gokulam player Abhijith K. found himself in a promising position inside the penalty area after being played through by Lalromawia.
Substitute Brandon Vanlalremdika had earlier produced a clever dummy to create the opening, but Abhijith failed to make the most of the chance, scuffing his left-footed effort wide. While the missed opportunity kept Gokulam Kerala in the contest, Sreenidi Deccan continued to maintain defensive discipline.
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Despite trailing, Gokulam Kerala struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in the final stages of the match. The Malabarians attempted to push forward in search of an equaliser, but the Sreenidi Deccan defence remained compact and well organised, preventing the hosts from finding space in dangerous areas.
Goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh had a relatively quiet evening between the posts as Gokulam failed to generate sustained pressure or force significant saves. The home side’s attacking efforts lacked precision in the final third, and Sreenidi were able to comfortably manage the closing stages of the match.
As the final whistle blew, Sreenidi Deccan celebrated a valuable away victory, securing their second win of the season. The narrow win highlighted Sreenidi’s defensive solidity and ability to capitalise on key moments in tight contests. Fabrice Kah’s goal ultimately proved decisive in a match where opportunities were limited.
For Gokulam Kerala, the result marked a disappointing start under new head coach Dimitris Dimitriou, with the team still searching for its first win of the season. As the league campaign progresses, Sreenidi Deccan will look to maintain their strong momentum at the top of the table, while Gokulam Kerala will aim to regroup and improve their attacking output in the upcoming fixtures.
