Real Kashmir FC – 6 (Shedrack Charles 17′, Ahteeb Ahmad 55′, Marius Obekop 60′, 89′, Junior Traore 90’+9′ p, Calvin Baretto 90’+11′)
Gokulam Kerala FC – 2 (Moses Lalrinzuala 13′, Benjamin Kuku 79′)
AIFF Media Desk
Srinagar, Sunday, April 12, 2026: Real Kashmir FC produced a stunning second-half performance to thrash Gokulam Kerala FC 6-2 and secure their first win of the Star Cement Indian Football League 2025-26 at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
Moses Lalrinzuala had given Gokulam Kerala the lead in the 13th minute, but Shedrack Charles equalised just four minutes later. The hosts then took control after the break, with Ahteeb Ahmad finding the net, Marius Obekop scoring a brace, and late goals from Junior Traore and Calvin Baretto sealing an emphatic victory. Benjamin Kuku pulled one back for Gokulam Kerala in the second half.
The comprehensive result provides a significant boost to the Snow Leopards’ survival hopes, while dealing a major blow to Gokulam Kerala’s ambitions of a top-six finish. Real Kashmir’s Marius Obekop was named the Player of the Match.
Looking to bounce back, Real Kashmir FC head coach Ishfaq Ahmed made five changes to his starting line-up following their previous outing against Chanmari FC. Furkan Ahmad Dar, Hyder Yousuf, Ahteeb Ahmad Dar, Habib Omar Fofana, and Christian Moses were all drafted into a traditional 4-4-2 setup.
Gokulam Kerala FC head coach Dimitris Dimitriou, meanwhile, made just one change from their previous match against Rajasthan United FC, with Benjamin Thomas Kuku replacing Shighil in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The match began scrappily, with both sides engaged in aerial duels and struggling to find rhythm. Gokulam Kerala eventually settled and took the lead in the 13th minute, capitalising on a defensive lapse and miscommunication at the back. Moses intercepted the ball and chipped it over the goalkeeper to open the scoring.
However, the hosts responded swiftly. In the 17th minute, Mohammad Inam delivered a cross that Shedrack Charles met with a superb low header, guiding it into the bottom corner. The visitors continued to threaten and struck the woodwork through Brown, but the first half ended 1-1.
The second half followed a similar pattern initially before Real Kashmir seized complete control. The hosts went ahead in the 55th minute when Ahteeb Ahmad found the net following an assist from Charles, exposing gaps in the opposition defence.
Five minutes later, Marius Obekop extended the lead to 3-1 with a composed finish after being set up perfectly by Moses.
Gokulam Kerala responded with a double substitution and pulled one back in the 79th minute. Goalkeeper Furkan Ahmad Dar failed to deal with a free-kick from Kasimov, allowing Benjamin Kuku to score from the rebound despite a desperate goal-line clearance attempt by Mashoor Shereef.
Tensions flared soon after as Real Kashmir were reduced to 10 men, with Hyder Yousuf shown a red card in the 83rd minute.
Despite being a man down, the hosts finished in emphatic fashion. In the 88th minute, Obekop produced a stunning left-footed curling strike from distance to make it 4-2 after Gokulam had conceded a free-kick in a dangerous area.
The drama continued deep into stoppage time when Gokulam goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil received a straight red card following an altercation with Basit Ahmed Bhat. Junior Traore calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 99th minute, sending the ball into the left corner past substitute goalkeeper Rakshit Dagar.
Two minutes later, Calvin Baretto added the sixth goal, reacting quickest after his initial effort was saved and finishing the rebound to seal a remarkable 6-2 victory for the Snow Leopards in front of a jubilant home crowd.
