Calicut beat Malappuram on penalties after 1-1 Malabar Derby draw in Super League Kerala 2026
Calicut defeated Malappuram 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw in the Malabar Derby of Super League Kerala 2026 on 2nd October 2026, securing the win in the shoot-out following Leo David’s late equaliser and a sequence of misses from Malappuram kickers.
The fixture, the first Malabar Derby of the Super League Kerala 2026, attracted strong support from both sets of fans, with The Beacon Brigade and Malappuram Ultras in attendance. The home side created the bulk of early opportunities while the opening 10 minutes saw the ball frequently lost in midfield. Calicut keeper Mirshad produced several important interventions across the match, keeping the visitors at bay on multiple occasions. Daniel Lalhlimpuia’s strike for Malappuram put the visitors ahead before Calicut forced a draw and the match proceeded to penalties.
The first clear opening arrived in the 15th minute when Malappuram captain Amadou Soukouna ran through on goal; Mirshad rushed off his line and blocked Soukouna’s shot with his left hand. A second notable chance for Malappuram came in the 41st minute when Elforsy profited from a Mirshad error but the goalkeeper recovered to make the stop.
A contentious moment in the first half saw Abdul Samed facing close marking from Calicut defender Alexis Sosa in the 27th minute; Samed elbowed Sosa as he tried to break free, causing Sosa to fall. The report stated that the incident could have led to a red card but went unnoticed because play was away from the ball.
The match’s opening goal arrived in the 65th minute from Malappuram: a cross into Calicut’s box was cushioned by Mashoor Shereef and Daniel Lalhlimpuia slid in to direct the ball over the line, sending the visitors 1-0 up. Calicut pressed for an equaliser and Federico Boasso delivered a left-flank cross that Mohammed Arbaz was unable to keep out; Leo David met the delivery and tapped in to level the score for the hosts.
Penalties followed for the second shoot-out of Super League Kerala 2026. Abdul Samed converted the first spot-kick, and Leo David answered for Calicut. Elfrosy then struck the crossbar for Malappuram, and Villalobos likewise hit the bar for Calicut. Nedim Hadzic scored for Malappuram before Boazzo levelled with a composed penalty. Substitute Abith K hit the crossbar for Malappuram, Alexis Sosa scored for Calicut, and Adieu Obiang scored for Malappuram; Calicut right back Puia converted the decisive penalty to complete a 4-3 shoot-out victory for Calicut.
Mirshad was named player of the match after multiple saves that prevented additional goals during regular time. The result moved Calicut to the top of the Super League Kerala table with 5 points from 1 win and 1 draw and a goal difference of +2, while Malappuram sit 4th behind Kannur Warriors with 1 point from 1 draw and 1 loss and a goal difference of -1.
The next Super League Kerala fixture is scheduled for 4th October at the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium in Trivandrum, where Thiruvananthapuram Kombans will face Kannur Warriors.
