Super League Kerala — Goalkeeping error gifts Forca Kochi a win over Malappuram FC

Hero of the night: Rahul Raju celebrates after Forca Kochi won at home, beating Malappuram FC narrowly. | Photo Credit: R. K. Nithin

When Malappuram FC coach Karim Bencherifa substituted first-choice goalkeeper Mohamed Arbaz with Devansh Dabas in the 89th minute, he would have anticipated a penalty shootout. However, it was not to be, as Dabas’ first touch proved fatal when he allowed an innocuous long-range shot from substitute Rahul Raju to slip through his hands into the goal.

Rahul’s lucky strike in the fourth minute of added time broke the deadlock to give Forca Kochi FC a 1-0 win in the Super League Kerala at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium here on Sunday.

Forca custodian Arbaz then made an important save in the last minute of added time to deny Salman Faris as Malappuram came all out in search of the equaliser.

The second half was lively with Malappuram shrugging off its timidity to put the home side under pressure. However, the Forca defence rose to the occasion. When it appeared the match would go to penalties, came the gaffe from Dabas.

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The first half was dreary, with Malappuram clearly struggling to find its feet. There were a lot of mispasses and aimless, half-hearted long rangers from the visitor.

Forca was marginally better, and it resembled a more cohesive unit. And It reflected in the higher number of box penetrations the host had in the first period. But Forca couldn’t force a shot to test Mohammed Arbaaz.

At the fag end of the half, an overlapping Nithin Madhu arrowed in a cross, but Alan Saji headed wide.

As half-time beckoned, Malappuram nearly punished Kochi for its sloppiness when E. Sateesh made his way into the box, and his shot from an acute angle forced a save from Jaimy Joy. The rebound came to an unmarked Elforsy, who shot wide.

The result: Forca Kochi FC 1 (Rahul Raju 90+4) bt Malappuram FC 0.\