SLK 2026: Debjit Majumder’s heroics help Forca Kochi beat Thrissur Magic on penalties

Debjit Majumder made two saves in the shootout after the match remained level 2-2 to help Forca Kochi to a win in Super League Kerala. | Photo Credit: R. K. Nithin

Among the crowd watching the Super League Kerala action on Friday night at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was a Borussia Dortmund great. In his first exposure to Indian football, Marcel Schmelzer may not have quite anticipated a 22-minute stoppage.

A protest by Thrissur Magic against Forca Kochi’s first goal — a claim for handball — after 15 minutes of play wasn’t exactly the best advertisement for what has been an excellent league. Two red cards were shown to the coaching staff of the Magic.

The match nevertheless produced some interesting football as well as four goals. After the 2-2 draw, penalties were taken as the rules this year do not let a match finish without a decisive result. The shootout was won by the Kochi men, who maintained their top spot on the table, with 13 points, two more than the second-placed Calicut FC, which has played a game less.

The Magic remain at the bottom with five points.

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Kochi’s opening goal came from Nahuel Pereyra, following a corner kick. He did well to sneak the ball in the chaos inside the box.

After the break, Sergio Gil equalised for Kochi from the penalty spot. And he would do it again inside 10 minutes, after Rahul Raju put the hosts back in front again, as he scored his sixth goal of the season, off a deft pass from Diego Hernandez Jimenez.

In the shootout, substitute goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar became Forca’s hero.

Match report

Forca Kochi 2 (Nahuel Pereyra 14, Rahul Raju 64) Thrissur Magic 2 (Sergio Gil 59-pen, 68-pen). Forca won 4-2 on penalties.