Gokulam regained the crown after a gap of five years.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The monsoon is around the corner. But its precursor is here, and it announced its presence in a rather emphatic manner here on Sunday night.
Strong rain lashed the final of the Kerala Premier League football tournament at the Corporation Stadium.
In the clash between two Kozhikode-based clubs, Gokulam Kerala FC and Calicut FC, it rained goals, too. And it was Gokulam that won 3-2 to regain the trophy it last bagged five years ago.
Gokulam was the deserving winner as Calicut had to play catch up right through the title contest.
The Calicut men were stunned by Mohamed Bilal’s devastating twin strike within the first five minutes.
A goal from Ameen eight minutes before the interval — his third in two matches — had given them hope, but they suffered another setback when Muhammed Sinan made it 3-1 for Gokulam.
Substitute Rifhath Ramzan’s goal in injury time — a header off a corner-kick — came too late for Calicut. It only made the final score more respectable.
Earlier, Gokulam’s first goal came off a superb pass down the left flank by Sinan, who beat the defence to set up Bilal. Just three minutes later, a long ball by Aman Gaikwad from well inside Gokulam’s half found Bilal in the thick of the action once again.
The Gokulam men may have struggled in the Indian Football League this season, but they were not going to squander a two-goal lead on the night.
The result: Final: Gokulam Kerala FC 3 (Mohamed Bilal 2, 5, Muhammed Sinan 72) bt Calicut FC 2 (Ameen 37, Rifhath Ramzan 90+4).
Published – June 01, 2026 12:06 am IST
