Aizawl FC’s Zomuansanga (left) celebrates after scoring during his side’s Indian Football League 2025-26 Relegation Stage match against Gokulam Kerala. | Photo Credit: AIFF Media

Gokulam Kerala twice came from behind to hold Aizawl FC in a 2-2 draw in a Relegation Stage fixture of Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena in Hyderabad on Tuesday.

Aizawl has secured its safety from relegation with 13 points from 11 matches, while Gokulam remains in the relegation spot with nine points, making its final game against Namdhari FC a relegation decider. By dint of this result, Real Kashmir FC too is now safe from relegation.

Zomuansanga gave Aizawl the lead in the 10th minute, which was equalised by Mirjalol Kasimov in the 17th. The former then converted a penalty in the 32nd minute, but Gursimrat Singh equalised again in the 43rd to give Gokulam the crucial point.

Aizawl broke the deadlock from a swift counter-attack when Zomuansanga sold goalkeeper Shibinraj Kunniyil with a clever shoulder dummy, disguising his shot towards the far post before executing a powerful finish to record his fifth goal of the season.

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However, Gokulam responded just seven minutes later. Kasimov stepped up to a free kick in the 17th minute and unleashed an absolute thunderbolt to draw his side level.

The flow of the match became erratic and stop-start, but the People’s Club remained highly organised in their transitions and deservedly reclaimed the lead. A push by Gokulam defender Lalbiakhlua inside the box in the 32nd minute resulted in a penalty, which Zomuansanga confidently converted.

Trailing once again, the Malabarians capitalised on the chaotic tempo to find a second equaliser just before the interval. From a 43rd-minute free-kick routine, Gursimrat applied the second touch, popping a header over the stranded Aizawl goalkeeper, who was caught flat-footed for what should have been a regulation save.

The tempo dropped significantly in the second half, with the game stuck in first and second gear. Aizawl eventually ramped up the pressure, dominating the final half-hour in search of a third goal but in the end had to settle for a solitary point.

Published on May 05, 2026