Crislan Henrique header secures Gokulam Kerala win over Samaleswari SC
Debutant Crislan Henrique scored twice as Gokulam Kerala defeated Samaleswari SC 3-2 in their Indian Football League opening match in Chennai.
Gokulam Kerala defeated Samaleswari SC 3-2 at the Corporation Stadium in Chennai to begin their Indian Football League campaign.
Debutant Crislan Henrique scored twice, including a stoppage-time header from a Sachu Siby cross, to secure the victory for the two-time champions.
The Brazilian scored his first goal in the 16th minute with a left-footed strike, before Makan Chothe made it 2-0 in the 25th minute.
Chothe finished a cross that was headed down by Victor da Silva following a pass from Yendrembam Naresh Singh.
Samaleswari SC, playing their first ever IFL match, fought back in the second half after Mohammed Rafi scored an own goal in the 75th minute.
Jorge Pereyra Diaz then equalised for the Odisha club from a penalty spot, but Henrique's 90+7 minute goal ensured Gokulam Kerala took the three points.