Crislan Da Silva headed home in the seventh minute of stoppage time to hand Gokulam Kerala FC a dramatic 3-2 victory over debutants Samaleswari SC in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026-27 at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode on Saturday, 31 October. The two-time champions survived a stunning second-half fightback to open their campaign with all three points.

First Half: Gokulam Dominate

Gokulam made a purposeful start, exploiting the flanks and pressing high from the first whistle. Samaleswari threatened early — Jorge Pereyra Diaz flashed a low cross from Sahil Harijan inches wide in the 6th minute, and Ishan Pandita stung the air from the edge of the box in the 11th — but the home side gradually asserted control.

The opener arrived in the 16th minute through the Brazilian connection. Victor Da Silva threaded a perfectly weighted ball into the path of Crislan, who had timed his run to perfection and drilled a composed finish past goalkeeper Aaryan Anjaneya. Makan Chothe doubled the lead in the 25th minute, converting from close range after Victor's neat lay-off from a Naresh Singh cross. Gokulam went into the break with a firm 2-0 advantage.

Samaleswari Fight Back

The second half was a different story. Samaleswari grew into the contest, and their most fluent spell came in the 58th minute, when Sahil fired narrowly over from distance. Pereyra Diaz tested goalkeeper Shibin Raj with a powerful low drive in the 62nd minute, only to be denied by a sharp save.

The debutants' persistence paid off in the 75th minute when second-half substitute Mohammed Rafi accidentally sliced a long throw into his own net to make it 2-1. Pereyra Diaz then curled a vicious effort goalward in the 80th minute, forcing Shibin into a full-stretch save — but the goalkeeper collided with the post and was carried off, replaced by Ravi Kumar. Ravi was immediately tested, producing a sharp stop from Fredy Chawngthansanga in the 84th minute.

Samaleswari drew level in the 90th minute from the penalty spot. The referee adjudged that Rafi had handled Pereyra Diaz's header inside the box, and the Argentinian converted the spot-kick himself to make it 2-2, sending the contest into a frantic finale.

Crislan's Decisive Header

With the match seemingly headed for a share of the spoils, Sachu Siby floated a cross into the box deep into added time. Crislan rose above the Samaleswari defence to head powerfully past the onrushing goalkeeper, completing his brace and restoring Gokulam's lead in the 97th minute. The goal sparked jubilant scenes at the EMS Corporation Stadium, where the home faithful had endured a nervy second half.

What It Means and What Comes Next

For Gokulam Kerala, the win — however hard-earned — is an ideal start to their IFL 2026-27 campaign, underlining the quality of their Brazilian imports and the resilience of a side that has won the league twice before. For Samaleswari SC, making their IFL debut, the performance in the second half will offer genuine encouragement despite the defeat.

Notably, the match was a tale of two contrasting halves: Gokulam's slick first-half control gave way to a Samaleswari revival that nearly produced a remarkable equaliser, only for the hosts to find one last decisive moment. Gokulam travel to Jaipur to face Rajasthan United FC at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium on 7 November, while Samaleswari host Dempo SC at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi on 5 November.