Diamond Harbour beat Gokulam Kerala 5-2 to extend top spot lead

Diamond Harbour FC secured a commanding 5-2 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at Kalyani Stadium on Saturday, reinforcing their position at the summit of the Indian Football League 2025-26 table.

The defeat confirmed Gokulam Kerala’s position in the relegation zone. Bouba Aminou opened the scoring for Gokulam Kerala in the 17th minute, but Luka Majcen equalised for Diamond Harbour before half-time.

Hugo Diaz then scored twice early in the second half, followed by goals from Jobby Justin and R. Ramdinthara, sealing an emphatic win for the hosts. Rahul Raju netted Gokulam Kerala’s second goal. Diaz was named Player of the Match.

Diamond Harbour topped the table at the conclusion of Round One with 22 points from nine matches. Meanwhile, Gokulam Kerala remained in the bottom four with eight points after the same number of games.

Home coach Kibu Vicuna made two changes, introducing Alberto Moyano and Halicharan Narzary for Sunday Afolabi and Bryce Miranda.

Gokulam Kerala head coach Dimitris Dimitriou made four adjustments, including Rakshit Dagar in goal for the suspended Shibinraj Kunniyil, alongside Athul Unnikrishnan, Mirjalol Kasimov, and N. Shigil replacing Armand Bazie, Benjamin Kuku, and Gursimrat Singh.

Diamond Harbour began strongly, creating their first opportunity within the opening minute, with Hugo Diaz testing Rakshit Dagar. Although Diamond Harbour dominated possession, Gokulam Kerala produced better chances early on.

Trijoy Dias’s low shot was saved by Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem, while efforts from Thabiso Brown and Mirjalol Kasimov went wide or over the crossbar. Gokulam Kerala took the lead after sustained pressure, capitalising on a corner delivered by Kasimov.