Manjeri: In a thrilling match despite heavy rain, Malappuram FC and Calicut FC ended in a 3-3 draw. Malappuram scored twice in the final five minutes to secure the memorable tie. The match, part of the Sports.com Super League Kerala‘s third round, took place at the Payyanad Stadium in Manjeri. Aitor Aldalir, Nidhin Madhu, and John Kennedy scored for Malappuram, while Muhammad Ajsal netted twice and Prashanth added one for Calicut. With this match, Malappuram has five points and Calicut has four from three games.
Calicut struck first in the seventh minute when Federico Hernan Boso’s corner was deflected by Malappuram goalkeeper Muhammad Asher. The ball reached Muhammad Ajsal, who volleyed it into the net (1-0). In the fifteenth minute, Ajsal had another chance, but Malappuram’s goalkeeper saved it. Malappuram’s Gani Nigam later intercepted a poor pass from Calicut’s captain Prashanth but was denied a goal by the goalkeeper. Calicut’s Jonathan Pereira received a yellow card for a rough challenge on Danial. Malappuram made a substitution in the thirty-eighth minute, bringing in Akhil for the injured Akbar Siddique. Just before halftime, Calicut had another goal opportunity but Prashanth couldn’t convert. In injury time of the first half, Malappuram equalized with a header from Aitor Aldalir off a corner taken by Danial (1-1).
As the second half began under heavy rain, Calicut quickly regained the lead in the fifth minute. Prashanth scored with a header after a cross from Salim (2-1). To boost their attack, Malappuram made substitutions, bringing in Rishad Gafoor and John Kennedy. Calicut also substituted Prashanth for Aniket Yadav. In the seventy-second minute, Calicut scored again when Muhammad Ajsal outmaneuvered three defenders and the goalkeeper for his second goal of the match (3-1). Despite several chances for both teams in the second half, scoring was difficult on the slippery pitch. With just five minutes left, Nidhin Madhu and substitute Kennedy scored for Malappuram. After a missed penalty by Roy Krishna, Kennedy scored off the rebound, bringing the match to a tie (3-3). A total of 22,956 fans attended the game.
The final match of the third round will take place on October 24, featuring Force Kochi FC against Kannur Warriors FC. The newly renovated Ernakulam Maharajas College Stadium will host the event.
Live coverage will be available on Sony Ten 2, DD Malayalam, and Sports.com. In the UAE, the match can be viewed on the E Visions channel (number 742).