Kashmir go top after Kerala win
fairytale run of Real Kashmir FC in the I-League continued as they defeated Gokulam Kerala FC by a solitary goal to go to the top of points table on Wednesday. The match was played at the TRC Ground in chilling conditions amid a mix of rain and snowfall with none of the teams willing to yield ground.
Ivorian striker Gnohere Krizo scored the all-important goal in the 51st minute to hand Real Kashmir full three points. The win propelled the Jammu and Kashmir side to the top of the table with 32 points, dislodging Chennai City FC (30 points) who, however, have played two fewer games than Real Kashmir.
Chennai City will take on Indian Arrows on Friday while Real Kashmir will meet East Bengal at home on Sunday. Each team will play 20 matches in the league.
It started snowing before the match and heavy rain lashed the ground later on. The two sides played a goalless first half as controlling the ball became difficult due to water-logging in many patches of the synthetic pitch.
Real Kashmir should have taken the lead in the first half but Krizo missed several easy chances. Mason Robertson, son of head coach David, who was playing behind Krizo in a 4-4-1-1 formation, also missed a couple of chances. However, it was Krizo who broke the deadlock after the break, pouncing on a rebound in front of the Gokulam goal in the 51st minute.
IN RACE FOR TITLE, EAST BENGAL FACE NEROCA
Buoyed by their derby win over city rivals Mohun Bagan, East Bengal would look to do a double on Neroca FC and stay in contention for I-League title in a crucial match at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Thursday.
Having defeated the Imphal outfit by an identical margin at the start of the season way back in October 2018, East Bengal will start with a psychological advantage. East Bengal have 25 points from 13 matches and another win would narrow the gap at the top.