Gokulam Kerala FC have long been the standard bearers for women’s football in India. And with their dramatic 4-3 win over Bangkok at the Chonburi Stadium, in Chonburi, Thailand, they registered their first win in the AFC Women’s Club Championship 2023. The Indian side finished behind Japanese side Urawa Reds who went through with a 100% record, accumulating nine points from three games.
In spite of going behind thrice in the game, the Indian women did not lose hope and produced a remarkable performance away from home to finish second.
Gokulam Kerala defeat Bangkok at home to finish group runners up
Veronica Appiah was the star of the evening, scoring a second half hat-trick for her side to help them go through. The other goal was scored by Hajar Dabbaghi before half time to open the scoring for Kerala.
Plychompoo Somnuek (24’) and Kanyanat Chetthabutr (45’, 51’) scored for the hosts, but they could not equalise Appiah’s goal in the 81st minute, handing them their second loss of the tournament.
Gokulam Kerala hold the record of being the first and only Indian side to win a game at the AFC Women’s Club Championship in 2021. They won their second against Bangkok this year, and their second place finish is an improvement on the third placed achievement last time around.
The AFC Women’s Club Championship will be replaced by the AFC Women’s Champions League next year, where the IWL winners will qualify.
