Alex Sanchez secured a remarkable hat-trick, complemented by goals from Komron Tursunov and Sreekuttan V S, propelling Gokulam Kerala to a resounding 5-0 victory against Rajasthan United in the I-League clash on Thursday.
Gokulam, buoyed by their recent 4-1 triumph over NEROCA, sustained their unbeaten streak at the EMS Corporation Stadium. Rajasthan, in contrast, faced setbacks with consecutive losses in their previous matches.
While Rajasthan initiated the match positively, creating early counter-attacking opportunities, they faltered in converting chances, with Richard Gadze’s miss marking a significant moment. Gokulam capitalized on this, seizing control and generating their own scoring opportunities.
Sachin Jha, Rajasthan’s goalkeeper, showcased resilience in thwarting Gokulam’s attempts, making crucial saves. However, Gokulam’s persistence paid off in the 33rd minute, with Komron Tursonov finding the net, granting the home team a well-deserved lead at halftime.
The second half witnessed Gokulam’s continued dominance, overpowering Rajasthan’s defense with speed and finesse. Rajasthan, despite a promising opportunity with Lalchungnunga, failed to capitalize. Gokulam seized the moment, with Sanchez doubling the lead after a series of corners, exposing Rajasthan’s defensive lapse.
In the 69th minute, Gokulam further solidified their position, courtesy of a brilliant combination play involving Justine Emanuel, Sanchez, and Sreekuttan. Edu Bedia’s strategic pass then paved the way for Sanchez’s second goal, followed by a hat-trick completion in the 88th minute.
Despite a late penalty save by Jha, Rajasthan endured an unforgettable evening, overshadowed by Gokulam’s commanding performance.
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