Kashmir open up title race with win over Chennai

SRINAGAR: On a day the weather gods relented and sent the sun out in full force, Real Kashmir threw open the I-league title race with a 1-0 win over leaders Chennai City at the Tourist Reception Centre Ground here on Monday.

In a dominant performance from the home side, Ivorian forward Gnohere Krizo headed in the winning goal eight minutes from time. With the win, Real Kashmir moved to within two points of Chennai with six games to go. They remain third in the standings and behind secondplaced Churchill Brothers only on goal difference.

Keeping true to his pre-match promise of starting the game on the front foot, Real Kashmir coach David Robertson set his side up to press Chennai City and counter the visitors’ possessionbased game. Chennai managed to fend off Kashmir’s early raids. In the 13th minute, the hosts almost went ahead when a goal-mouth melee from a corner saw the ball go wide by a few inches.

Seven minutes later, Chennai threatened the hosts’ goal for the first time when goalkeeper Bilal Khan failed to collect a Sandro Rodriguez free-kick. To the relief of Bilal, the ball was cleared away by an onrushing defender.

In the 32nd minute, Kashmir had the clearest chance of the game yet when forward Gnohere Krizo found himself in space for a shot. His attempt, however, was acrobatically saved by Chennai goalkeeper Nauzet Santana.

Real Kashmir started the second half the way they started the first, with Krizo and attacking midfielder Mason Robertson, son of the head coach, forcing the Chennai backline to play deeper than usual.

Ten minutes into the half, Kashmir had another chance when centre-back Loveday Enyinnaya was left unmarked during a free kick. The defender’s header was saved by Santana and midfielder Danish Farooq’s follow-up shot was cleared for a corner.

In the 72nd minute, Santana rose to the occasion again when Krizo was put through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Santana stayed low and saved Krizo’s shot. Ten minutes later, Chennai’s luck finally ran out. Coming from the right flank, Danish put a dipping cross into the box. An unmarked Krizo headed the ball into the net.

Pandemonium ensued as Krizo ran into the crowd to celebrate. As the game resumed, things calmed down but Real Kashmir did not. From a corner three minutes later, Bazie Armand headed the ball into the crossbar. The hosts kept their composure at the back to seal the win, much to the delight of the packed crowd.