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Kerala’s Gokulam FC kept themselves in the hunt for a place in the semifinals with a convincing 5-0 demolition of Vasco SC in the 1st AWES Cup organised by Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportspersons and Dempo Sports Club Juniors at Duler Stadium in Mapusa on Friday.
The comfortable victory takes Gokulam FC on top of Group D and they will now need only a draw against Sporting Clube de Goa in the concluding league clash on Tuesday to qualify as group toppers. Sporting Clube de Goa had earlier won 5-1 against Vasco SC, leaving them with a must-win game against the visitors from Kerala.
The star man for Gokulam was Nigerian striker Somide Adelaja who scored a hattrick. The former East Bengal striker struck twice in the first half and completed his hattrick after the change of ends. Gokulam FC led 2-0 at half-time.
Adelaja did not have the best of starts as he missed a sitter in the opening minutes but made amends for his miss in the 19th minute when he opened his account. The Nigerian finished with a good volley after meeting a cross from Ashique Usman.
Adelaja was constantly involved in the build-ups and provided scoring opportunities for his teammates. But the likes of Shihad Nelliparamban and Arif Shaikh lacked sharpness in front of goal. Gokulam scored their second goal in the 42nd minute with Ashique tapping in a low cross from Adelaja.
Vasco were playing second fiddle for most part of the match and had only one good look at goal when Benestton Barreto went close.
In the second session, Adelaja overpowered defender Minesh Kunkolkar and finished neatly to secure his brace in the 60th minute.
Substitute Arjun Jayaraj made it 4-0 from close range and could have added another to his kitty but the goalkeeper came up with a brilliant save.
Gokulam FC, however, could not be denied again as Adelaja completed his hattrick after heading in a corner from Dibin M.D.
The goal could prove to be crucial in the end as it gives Gokulam FC a better goal-difference ahead of the deciding clash against Sporting Clube de Goa on Tuesday.
