I-League 2018/19: 3 reasons why Minerva Punjab FC was held by Gokulam Kerala FC

#1 Below par display from Minerva Punjab FC

Minerva Punjab FC created very few chances against Gokulam Kerala FC

The hosts were playing Lancine Toure as a striker, a deviation from his usual defensive position. The Ivorian footballer looked rather ill at ease in the attacking third, although he never got enough chances to make an impact in the entire match. Saving that, the entire team hardly created enough chances to change the fate of the game.

Minerva Punjab FC suffered a jolt in the first half itself after Kouma Konan Zacharie was shown the marching orders while the scores were still goalless. It was a major setback for the defending champions. Reduced to 10 men, the hosts lost the punch in their attack.

Everyone thought they could not stage a comeback because the match had swung in Gokulam’s favour from the beginning of the second half. Repeated efforts from the visitors paid off as they took the lead in the 82nd minute, following which it seemed Gokulam FC could double the lead.

But out of the blue Caicedo Rodriguez scored the equaliser in the dying minutes of the match to secure a point from this fixture. Coach Paul Munster needs to make amendments before his team takes on Shillong Lajong next week at the same venue.