Kochi: The Sports.com Super League organized by Amul saw Force Kochi FC suffer their sixth consecutive defeat in Kerala. In the first match of the sixth round at Maharaja’s College Stadium, Calicut FC defeated Force Kochi 6-2. Young player Muhammad Ajzal scored a hat-trick for Calicut FC. Captain Prashant netted two goals, while Simonlen Denkal contributed one. Both of Kochi’s goals were scored by Dutch player Ronald Van Kessel. With 11 points from six matches, Calicut climbed to first place, while Kochi, with no points from six losses, sits at the bottom.
The match started with Calicut creating four good chances within the first five minutes but failing to capitalize. However, they scored in the 19th minute when Captain Prashant assisted young player Muhammad Ajzal, who scored with a first-time touch from a difficult angle (1-0). Kochi had a promising opportunity in the 26th minute, but Ronald Van Kessel couldn’t convert a precise header from a cross by Sajesh. Calicut doubled their lead in the 34th minute when Asif’s pass set up Muhammad Ajzal for a quick goal (2-0). Just six minutes later, Calicut scored again through a finish by Prashant from a cross by Muhammad Riyas (3-0). Before halftime, Ajzal completed his hat-trick, bringing Calicut’s score to four (4-0). He’s now the league’s top scorer with five goals, followed by Malappuram FC‘s John Kennedy with four.
At the start of the second half, Kochi made substitutions, bringing on Shreejith, Suzairaj, and Amos. Calicut also made changes, introducing Simonlen Denkal and Shifil. Ugandan player Amos consistently threatened the Calicut goal with his speed. In the 69th minute, Kochi scored when Ronald Van Kessel directed a cross from Amos into the net (4-1). In the 84th minute, Simonlen Denkal scored Calicut’s fifth goal from Asif’s pass. Just two minutes before the end, Prashant added his second goal, extending the score to 6-1. In injury time, Ronald Van Kessel scored again for Kochi, reducing the deficit to 6-2. A total of 2,282 spectators attended the match.
Today (November 10), the second match of the sixth round features Kannur Warriors FC facing Thiruvananthapuram Kompass FC. The kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM at Kannur Jawaharlal Municipal Stadium.