Gokulam Kerala beat Rajasthan United 1-0 at Vidyadhar Nagar in IFL 2026–27
Gokulam Kerala FC defeated Rajasthan United FC 1-0 at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium in their Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 fixture on Saturday. Crislan da Silva scored in the 68th minute and Novin Gurung received a straight red card in the 78th minute, with the result propelling the two-time champions to the top of the league standings with six points from two matches while Rajasthan United remained at the bottom without a point.
Both teams began the match with an attacking intent, looking to create chances from wide areas; within the opening two minutes Sachu Siby and Brijesh Giri delivered dangerous balls into the penalty area. Victor da Silva produced the first clear opportunity in the fifth minute with a dribble and low shot that goalkeeper Amrit Gope collected, and Ricky Vanlalhriatsanga’s seventh-minute curling attempt went wide. Crislan tested Amrit from distance in the 13th minute, Diego Mauricio’s run into the box in the 17th minute was blocked for a corner, and a Judah Garcia cross deflected off Crislan before Shibin Raj collected the loose ball.
The first half featured several near-misses for Gokulam. In the 31st minute Victor’s lofted pass found Crislan, Amrit came off his line to clear and the rebound fell to Makan Chothe whose first-time attempt missed the unguarded goal. A Victor corner in the 38th minute found Crislan, whose header went just inches wide, and Lalramsanga forced a full-stretch dive from Amrit with a long-range strike in the 42nd minute. Brijesh Giri had a late chance before half-time that went wide, leaving the teams level at the interval.
The opening phase of the second half was slower, with much of the play in midfield as Gokulam controlled more possession but struggled to fashion clear-cut openings. A Sarthak Golui header from a long throw narrowly missed in the 58th minute, and the afternoon heat affected players from both sides, with several receiving treatment for cramps. The deadlock was broken in the 68th minute when Sarthak Golui’s long ball reached the attacking third, Adrian Castellano failed to make a clean headed clearance and Crislan reacted to chip the ball over the advancing Amrit Gope.
Rajasthan sought an immediate response but Christopher Kamei’s free-kick in the 73rd minute struck the Gokulam defensive wall. In the 78th minute Victor da Silva’s through ball sent Crislan through on goal and Novin Gurung brought him down just outside the penalty area while being the last defender; the referee issued a straight red and Gokulam were awarded a free-kick. Down to 10 men, Rajasthan intensified their attacks late on, with Pranjal Bhumij forcing saves from Shibin Raj in the 84th minute and again in the first minute of stoppage time.
Gokulam Kerala maintained their defensive organisation after the red card and saw out the remaining minutes to secure the 1-0 away victory. Gokulam Kerala FC will next travel to face Nagaland United Sports Club at the Chümoukedima Football Stadium in Dimapur on November 14, while Rajasthan United FC will take on Samaleswari SC away at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela on November 15.