El Khayati's late goal wins three points for Mumbai City FC in their Kalinga Super Cup 2024 opener against Gokulam Kerala

Abdenasser El Khayati wins the player of the match award for the assist and the winning goal.

Mumbai City earns three points from their Kalinga Super Cup 2024 opener against Gokulam Kerala. Late late drama at the Kalinga Stadium as Mumbai came from being 1-0 down to win the match by 2-1. Petr Kratky showed his masterclass by bringing Ayush Chhikara in and he was the man who brought Mumbai back into the match.

It was unfortunate that Gokulam didn't get the one point from the match as Mumbai won a late penalty and El Khayati stepped up to win the game for the Islanders. Avilash Paul's three back-to-back saves surely was the highlight of the match but it went in vain.

2⃣0⃣2⃣4⃣ IS A GO!💥

Late goals from Ayush and El Khayati give #TheIslanders a stunning comeback win in our #KalingaSuperCup opener! 💪#MCFCGKFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/gqSotx1Eac

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

Also Read: Kalinga Super Cup 2024: Chennaiyin FC vs Punjab FC Match Preview, Team News, Head-to-Head, Possible Lineups, and Dream XI Prediction

El Khayati sends Avilash to the other side and it's a clinical finish from the Dutch forward. What a turnaround!

Noguera is fouled by his marker inside the box and the referee points to the spot. El Khayati will take the penalty.

Avilash has been exceptional in the second half. He comes up with three back-to-back saves. No one knows how the score is still level.

Lotjem provides a pass for El Khayati. His shot from point-blank range is saved by Avilash. The rebound reaches to Jayesh Rane and he takes a solid shot. Avilash comes up with the save again. Lotjem rushes to the rebound and Avilash makes another brilliant reflex save to deny Mumbai from scoring.

Super Sub Chhikara comes up with a clinical finish. El Khayati places a perfect through ball in for Ayush Chhikara, who slides it in past the keeper.

Last goal of 2023 Super Cup 🤝 First goal for #TheIslanders in #KalingaSuperCup 2024 ✅

Ayush picking up where he left off! 🩵#MCFCGKFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/xyvGyo3sPP

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

A brilliant header from the corner but it hits the crossbar. Unlucky for Gokulam! They could have extended their lead here.

The young attacker gets a fine opportunity. Lotzem takes a shot that goes way too wide. Lotzem had the opportunity to find El Khayati but he too was not positioned himself in the right place.

El Khayati misses a golden opportunity. He should have taken a shot early but took time to take the shot with his right foot and Abdul Hakku came up with a solid block to deny him.

Ayush Chhikara replaces Gurkirat Singh.

Emmanuel replaces Noorani.

Gokulam loses the ball inside their half. El Khayati charges but his shot gets blocked away for a corner.

Sreekuttan is booked for a nasty foul.

Gokulam are looking more lively in the second half. They are playing with more urgency than Mumbai and are creating some huge opportunities to extend the lead.

Sreekuttan sends a cross and Bouba rises highest to head it to the near post. Phurba saves the close ranger and Mumbai survives.

Sreekuttan cuts in from the left, dribbling past two defenders. He attempts a shot with his right but the ball flies high and wide.

Mumbai City kicks off the second half and they will have to score early if they want to turn things around.

Lotzem replaces Vinit Rai. The second half begins soon.

Gokulam Kerala goes into the half-time break with a 1-0 lead, courtesy of a goal from Alex Sanchez. Mumbai City has dominated the game but has missed so many opportunities. They did score the goal but it was disallowed.

HT: MCFC 0⃣-1⃣ GKFC

A half of missed chances but we keep pushing - come on, मुंबई! 💪#MCFCGKFC #KalingaSuperCup #MumbaiCity #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/2DEDIiHPuT

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

Mumbai are looking desperate to score the equaliser.

Except for making that brilliant save, Avilash has been so poor today so far. 7th corner for Mumbai City FC.

Gurkirat with a huge chance to score the equaliser. He gets a free run from the left-hand side. Gurkirat takes a left-footed shot just inside the box but Avilash Paul makes a brilliant diving save to deny the attacker.

The goal is not given. Not sure what happened that forced the referee to disallow the goal.

Valpuia scores from the corner but there is some confusion.

A long freekick is headed towards the goal by Bouba. It struck the post and Alex Sanchez was there to head in an easy finish.

Aminou Bouba tries to unlock the City defence with a long ball but he overhits the pass in the process.

El Khayati is causing Gokulam Kerala some trouble from the left-hand side. Abdul Hakku is in action right from the start.

Nothing from the corner as Gokulam stands tall and clears the ball away.

Nathan misses a golden chance. The shot was not even on target.

The first game of Group C begins at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar.

📸 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝: #TheIslanders assemble for the 1st time in 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ 🩵#KalingaSuperCup #MCFCGKFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Y1JiHm1b74

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

The players are on the pitch and the clash begins soon.

💚#gkfc #malabarians #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/RNY99d8lto

— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) January 11, 2024

📍 Kalinga stadium - checked in ✅#KalingaSuperCup #MCFCGKFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/Iofd6jtGvY

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

All set for our opening game 🤝#gkfc #malabarians #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/qbZTqG9v8H

— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) January 11, 2024

All the matches of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 including the Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala will be televised on Sports18 channel in India. Moreover, fans can watch the match on Jio Cinema as well.

This was Abishek Goswami bringing you all the LIVE updates of the Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala match in Kalinga Super Cup 2024. Enjoy the highlights and best moments of the game from our LIVE blog. For all the updates of football from around the world, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Mumbai City FC will face Gokulam Kerala in the first match of Group C in the Kalinga Super Cup 2024 on 11th January at the Kalinga Stadium. Mumbai are sitting 4th in the ISL table with 22 points in 11 matches with a decent recent form. They are coming into the match after thrashing Chennai 3-0 at home.

Meanwhile, Gokulam Kerala sitting sixth in the I-League 2023-24 table with 17 points from 11 matches. Oramas Cabrera's side has won just one out of their last five matches and it will be a tough contest against Mumbai City FC on Thursday.

• Fixture: Mumbai City FC vs Gokulam Kerala: Kalinga Super Cup 2024

• Date: January 11

• Time: 2:00 PM (IST)

• Venue: Kalinga Pitch 1, Odisha

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! 💫

The 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣4️⃣ #KalingaSuperCup journey begins here 🆚 Gokulam Kerala 💪

Let's begin as we mean to go on, मुंबई! 🩵#MCFCGKFC #AamchiCity 🔵 pic.twitter.com/WyXBUJjWK2

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

Mumbai City FC

🚨 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 🚨

Captain Phurba ©️
Alberto returns ✅
Maiden starts for young Nathan & Franklin 🩵

Here's #TheIslanders' XI to take on Gokulam Kerala - let's go, मुंबई! 💪#MCFCGKFC #KalingaSuperCup #AamchiCity 🔵 @stakenewsindia pic.twitter.com/cNo1NtsZtU

— Mumbai City FC (@MumbaiCityFC) January 11, 2024

Gokulam Kerala

Avilash Paul; Abdul Hakku, Nidhin, Aminou Bouba, Muhammed Saheef; Rishad Pazhaya, Nikola Stojanović, Abhijith, Azfar, Sreekuttan; Álex Sánchez 

Team news 🗞️#gkfc #malabarians #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/bEEHONrYmy

— Gokulam Kerala FC (@GokulamKeralaFC) January 11, 2024