Debutants Real Kashmir shock defending champs
Real Kashmir FC not only managed to soak up the pressure but managed to sneak in a goal against the run of play to start their I-League campaign with a 1-0 win against defending champions Minerva Punjab FC at Tau Devi Lal Stadium on Wednesday.
Perky Real Kashmir held their own against a sustained attack from Minerva who after a dull draw against Churchill Brothers in their opening game started off looking for a win.
Ivory Coast’s Kouame Kouassi Alexandre started along with William Opoku at the front and caused trouble for the valley-side immediately. Alexandre managed to break free of his marker in the 11th minute but a weak shot was easily handled by Kashmir’s custodian Bilal Husain Khan. Bilal went on to make numerous crucial saves to deny Minerva and was adjudged player of the match.
Knowing well that Minerva will go out for an all out attack, Real Kashmir coach David Robertson lined up the squad defensively. He had his son Mason Robertson, along with Goan Brian Mascarenhas and local boy Muhammad Hammad manning his defence with 6 ft 7 inches Ivorian Gnohere Krizo as the lone striker upfront.
As Minerva fluffed chances after chances with forwards failing to link up, Real Kashmir managed to catch the defending champions’ defence off guard on few occasions.
Krizo managed to lay the ball perfectly at the feet of Zambia’s Aaron Katebe just outside the circle but found Minerva custodian Bhaskar Roy up to the challenge.
Minerva again had a flurry of chances at the start of the second half but failed to get past Bilal. In the first, Alexandre’s powerful shot from inside the box was tipped over by Bilal and hit the bar and a minute later Opoku’s powerful drive from outside the box brought another save.
As frustrated Minerva pushed hard, Krizo sneaked in a goal in the 74th minute much to the delight of the debutants. Krizo collected the ball inside Minerva’s goal box off a free kick
PANCHKULA:Debutants
and turned and fired one past the Minerva custodian Roy.
Thereafter, the debutants did well to soak up the pressure and register a win in their opening match, while for Minerva their lack finishing at the front will mean the team gets back to drawing broad before they travel for their next match against Aizawl FC on November 10.
“We should have been 3 or 4 goals up but not only their keeper did well, we also lacked the finishing touch. It happens in football when a team fails to take their chances,” said Minerva’s Irish coach Paul Munster.
NEROCA-GOKULAM 1-1
Gokulam Kerala FC held Neroca FC to a 1-1 draw to break their jinx and bag their first-ever point at the Khuman Lampak Stadium here on Wednesday.
Local boy Baoringdao Bodo opened the scoring for the visitors at the stroke of the half-time but Eduardo Ferriera (59th minute) nipped in a perfect equaliser to open their tally in the 12th edition of the I-League.
Newly-appointed Neroca FC boss Manuel Fraile introduced two changes from the last match as Varney Kallon, who was injured, made a comeback in his usual position while Ronald made his first start of the season.
LAJONG FACE EB
After beating Aizawl FC in their opener last Sunday, Shillong Lajong face a much tougher opposition in East Bengal on Thursday. Shillong Coach Alison Kharsentiew promised to continue with attacking style.
East Bengal, under Spanish coach Alejandro Menendez Garcia will, however, had beaten Neroca FC 2-0 in the first game.
Meanwhile, Chennai City FC will look to continue their winning momentum when they take on Churchill Brothers in Coimbatore. Chennai won their opening encounter at home against Indian Arrows 4-1 last week while Churchilldrew Minerva Punjab FC 0-0.
AGENCIES ADD FROM IMPHAL: SHILLONG: