Crislan Da Silva’s stoppage-time header gives Gokulam Kerala a 3-2 win over Samaleswari SC in IFL
Crislan Da Silva’s stoppage-time header handed Gokulam Kerala FC a 3-2 victory over debutants Samaleswari SC at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday, 31 October 2026, in an Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 match. The winner arrived seven minutes into second-half stoppage time after Samaleswari had fought back to level the game in the 90th minute.
Gokulam led 2-0 at half-time through Crislan Da Silva’s 16th-minute strike and Makan Chothe’s 25th-minute finish, but Samaleswari reduced the deficit via a Mohammed Rafi own goal in the 75th minute and then equalised from a Jorge Pereyra Diaz penalty in the 90th. Crislan’s two goals, in the 16th and 90+7th minute, eventually decided a match the source described as one of contrasting halves, and the two-time champions opened their campaign with all three points.
The hosts started brightly and sought width from the flanks, with Makan Chothe repeatedly probing down Gokulam’s right. Samaleswari produced the first clear opening in the sixth minute when Sahil Harijan’s low cross found Jorge Pereyra Diaz, whose effort went inches wide, and Ishan Pandita forced a near-miss from the edge of the box in the 11th minute. Gokulam wrested control and, in the 16th minute, Victor Da Silva threaded a pass to Crislan, who finished past Aaryan Anjaneya. Roshan Panna threatened for Samaleswari in the 22nd minute but Gokulam goalkeeper Shibin Raj smothered the chance despite taking a knock, and Naresh Singh’s cross soon after set up Victor Da Silva to lay the ball for Chothe to make it 2-0 in the 25th minute.
The second half began with a series of stoppages and set-piece interruptions that disrupted rhythm on both sides. Samaleswari grew into the game and in the 58th minute Sahil Harijan shot from distance that drifted wide, while four minutes later Pereyra Diaz used strength to hold off two defenders and forced Shibin Raj into a low save. Samaleswari’s improved possession in the final third kept Gokulam under pressure as they searched for a route back into the contest.
Samaleswari’s persistence yielded the first goal of the second half in the 75th minute when a long throw into the box was inadvertently turned into his own net by second-half substitute Rafi. Pereyra Diaz came close again in the 80th minute with a curling effort that Shibin saved but collided with the post and was unable to continue; Ravi Kumar replaced him in goal. Ravi was required almost immediately, producing a sharp stop to deny Fredy Chawngthansanga from distance in the 84th minute.
The visitors drew level in the 90th minute after the referee awarded a penalty for a handball by Rafi following a Pereyra Diaz header, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz converted from the spot. Gokulam then struck late: in the seventh minute of stoppage time Sachu Siby delivered a cross and Crislan rose highest to head past the onrushing goalkeeper, securing a 3-2 win for the hosts.
Gokulam Kerala travel to Jaipur to face Rajasthan United FC at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium on November 7, while Samaleswari SC host Dempo SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi on November 5.