KOLKATA: Gokulam Kerala FC salvaged a dramatic 1-1 draw against Sethu FC after Muskan Subba struck deep into stoppage time in an Indian Women’s League clash at the National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata on Saturday.
Both former IWL champions came into the contest on the back of defeats and began with clear attacking intent. Gokulam made the first move through Priyadarshini, whose early effort forced a save from Sethu goalkeeper Anjila Subba. But it was Sethu who drew first blood in the 16th minute.
A floated cross from Nirmala Devi Phanjoubam created chaos inside the Gokulam box, with striker Abigail Antwi missing contact and goalkeeper Shreya Hooda misjudging the bounce. Kaviya Pakkirisamy reacted quickest, slipping into space and slotting the ball into an open net to put Sethu ahead.
The goal lifted Sethu’s momentum, as Grace Lalrampari tested Shreya twice from range, while Abigail headed straight at the keeper from another Nirmala delivery. Gokulam struggled to find rhythm before the break, with forward Cidalia Daniel Cuta largely contained by a disciplined backline.
Sethu almost sealed the game late on when Lynda Kom Serto struck the woodwork, a miss that proved decisive.
In the third minute of stoppage time, Gokulam finally found their lifeline. Phoeby unleashed a powerful strike from distance, and the ball took a decisive deflection off Muskan, wrong-footing the goalkeeper and nestling into the net.
The late equaliser sparked celebrations in the Gokulam camp, while Sethu were left frustrated as both sides were forced to share the points after a fiercely contested encounter.