The 2025 edition of Super League Kerala kicked off in style at the EMS Corporation Stadium, Calicut, with the home side edging past Forca Kochi 2–1 in a thriller. In what was billed as the rematch of last season’s final, the contest saw goals, drama, and a stoppage-time winner from Bengaluru-born midfielder Arun Kumar.
Calicut FC started with a star-studded frontline, led out by local hero and former Kerala Blasters winger Prasanth. Last season’s Golden Glove winner Hajmal, who had played for Forca Kochi, stood in goal for the home team.
Forca responded with attacking intent of their own, fielding prolific Brazilian forward Douglas Tardin, formerly of Shillong Lajong. The breakthrough came in the 22nd minute when Ajin fouled a Calicut attacker inside the box. Colombian striker Sebastián Rincón, son of national legend Freddy Rincón, coolly converted the penalty to hand Calicut a 1–0 lead.
Despite the deficit, Forca Kochi controlled possession with 59% of the ball and eight first-half shots. But their inability to turn pressure into goals kept Calicut ahead at the interval, with the home side’s lone shot on target making the difference. The commentators had ample time to talk about the Project Game Changer, a talent hunt organised by SLK, as the first half was not an interesting affair.
Calicut reshuffled at the break, with Salim replaced by Manoj and Argentine midfielder Jonathan coming on for defender Alexis Sosa, signaling a shift to strengthen midfield control.
Forca made their move in the 56th minute, introducing Rinreithan and the young winger Sangeeth Satish, a discovery from the Project Game Changer talent program in Ernakulam. The switch paid dividends in attacking momentum, even as players from both sides began struggling with cramps around the hour mark. Injuries forced further changes, with Jagannath replacing Riyas for Calicut.
Forca Kochi’s best early second-half chance came in the 64th minute when Tardin powered a header from a Nijo Gilbert cross narrowly wide. Nijo remained their most active player, creating chance after chance and forcing Hajmal into a flying save from a curling free-kick in the 81st minute.
Persistence was rewarded in the 88th minute. Sangeeth Satish whipped in a pinpoint cross from the right, and Tardin made no mistake this time, heading home the equalizer and sparking wild celebrations from the visitors’ bench.
But Calicut responded with the ultimate sucker punch. In the 92nd minute, Prasanth floated in a cross that found Arun Kumar, a Bengaluru-born central midfielder who previously played for Sreenidi Deccan in the I-League, completely unmarked. Timing his run perfectly, he blasted the ball into the net to make it 2–1, sending the stadium into raptures. In the dying seconds, Calicut sealed the result with one final substitution as ISL regular Aniket Jadhav came on for Prasanth in the 90+4th minute.
Forca Kochi’s coach appeared frustrated after his side dominated possession yet failed to capitalize on chances. For Calicut, the relief was evident as their compact “park-the-bus” approach nearly backfired before Arun’s last-gasp strike sealed the night.
The 2–1 victory gave Calicut FC the perfect start to their SLK campaign, extracting revenge for last season’s heartbreak against Forca Kochi. For the visitors, it was a bitter pill — domination on paper but undone by wastefulness and late defensive lapses. With grassroots products like Sangeeth Satish already making an impact, and seasoned campaigners like Arun Kumar delivering decisive moments, Super League Kerala’s curtain-raiser had everything: passion, drama, and a reminder that Kerala football is never short of storylines.
Key Moments
- 22’ – Rincón scores penalty for Calicut (1–0).
- 46’ – Calicut make two substitutions: Manoj and Jonathan on.
- 56’ – Forca Kochi bring on Sangeeth Satish and Rinreithan.
- 64’ – Tardin’s header from Nijo’s cross goes narrowly wide.
- 81’ – Nijo’s free-kick brilliantly saved by Hajmal.
- 88’ – Tardin equalizes with a header from Sangeeth’s cross (1–1).
- 92’ – Arun Kumar scores stoppage-time winner from Prasanth’s cross (2–1).
