KOLKATA: Mohammedan Sporting failed to make the group stage of the Super Cup, crashing out of the season-ending tournament following a 2-5 loss to Gokulam Kerala in the qualifying playoff held in Manjeri, Kerala, on Wednesday.
The win helped Gokulam Kerala join ATK Mohun Bagan, FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC in Group C of the Super Cup.
The former I-League champions dominated the proceedings throughout the match as Mohammedan Sporting tried to stage a comeback through Abiola Adedeji Dauda, who scored the team's both goals, but it always looked a tall order for the Kolkata side to accomplish.
Gokulam shot into an early lead in the 11th minute through Julian Omar Ramos and Abiola Adedeji Dauda briefly kept Mohammedan Sporting in the fray with an equalizer in the 27th minute. After the break, Sourav regained the lead for Gokulam in the 47th minute. Dauda again made it 2-2 for Mohammedan Sporting in the very next minute.
But goals from Farshad Noor regained (64), and Thahir Zaman (78) and Abdul Hakku Nediyodath (85) completed the job for Gokulam Kerala.
Sreenidi Deccan also qualified for the Super Cup group stage, beating Neroca FC 4-2 in another playoff.
Meanwhile, East Bengal will leave for Kerala on Thursday morning to play in the Super Cup.
The season-ending tournament in Kerala will be current coach Stephen Constantine's final assignment with East Bengal before Sergio Lobera takes charge of the red-and-gold brigade.
East Bengal will begin their Super Cup campaign with a match against fellow ISL side Odisha FC on April 9.
ATKMB will play their first match on April 10.
