I-League: Real Kashmiri debutants defeat Minerva Punjab, defending champion

The emergence of Real Kashmir and its rise in the I-League is the most fascinating story of Indian football of recent times. (Kamleshwar Singh's express photo)

Panchukula: Real Kashmir FC on Wednesday surprised reigning champion Minerva Punjab FC in the sensational kick-off of their first I-League campaign. thus the first step towards the realization of the dream of beginners "Paradise on earth" a "paradise for football".

The first team in the valley to play in the country's highest country, Real Kashmir FC scored the only goal of the match with a 74th-minute strike from Gnohere Krizo. chance to stop the ball rolling at high speed.

While coach David Robertson and his players were thrilled, spectators were delighted by the Tau Devi Lal Stadium grandstands, which also applauded the visiting team a few moments later. opponents in their own den

The emergence of Real Kashmir and its rise in the I-League is the most fascinating story of Indian football of recent times. Formed three years ago, Real Kashmir won the league second division last season to be promoted to the top of the hierarchy.

True to the badertion of his coach on the eve of the match, Real Kashmir gave the advantage to his holder.

Real Kashmir had a chance to score 2-0 four minutes after the stalemate came out, but Minerva Punjab will kick himself while she had a good start to second period but did not know how to take into account his chances.

It was a tight affair and Minerva Punjab FC was paying his debauchery in front of goal.

Minerva Punjab made two changes to his starting lineup starting 0-0 against Churchill Brothers. Nongdamba Naorem and Manandeep Singh missed a place in the starting lineup and were replaced by Makan Chothe and Kouame Alexandre.

Robertson placed his team in the 3-5-2 ring. He had his son Mason Robertson, Goan Brian Mascarenhas and local boy Muhammad Hammad to reinforce his defense early in the game.

The other local Kashmiris who made the starting line are midfielders Farhan Ganie and Farooq Danes. Gnohere Krizo, a 6-foot-7 Ivorian, was the only attacking attacker while Bilal was leading the Kashmir carpentry.

Ghana's Minerva striker, William Opoku, had the first good opportunity to play just before the quarter-hour mark, when Amandeep, an excellent ball from Minerva's half-time, found Opoku unencrypted in Kashmir's penalty box with a defender on his shoulder.

Opoku trapped and fired only for Hero of the Bilal Match in order to make the first of his many good saves on the day to deny Minerva the first goal.

Opoku has worked well with Makan Chothe a few times, but the young player was already caught offside and, on another occasion, took too much time with the ball. The defensive Lancine Toure tied his head on a beautiful head, but Bilal was up to it.

Minverva's sense of urgency was evident early in the second half, as in the first three minutes, they had two excellent scoring chances. In the first, the powerful shot of Ivoirian Alexandre inside the penalty area was touched by Bilal, then the powerful shot operated by Opoku on a new shot saved by Bilal.

Munster quickly and swiftly made the change, bringing Young Nongdamba Naorem, Dilliram Sanyasi and Hitova Ayemi instilled more pace and style into the game, but Kashmir's defense holds firm.

Then, in a subtle change of tactics, Robertson integrates Vicky Meitei, the midfielder, in place of Hammad. his midfield for a defender.

This action paid off as, in the 73rd minute, against the running of the game, on a free kick shot in Minerva, Krozi grabbed the ball into the box, threw powerful drive that beat the Minerva goalkeeper Bhaskar Roy at the front post.

Gokulam Kerala FC beats a smart man to win his first point against Neroca FC

Imphal: Gokulam Kerala FC beat his poisoning by winning his first ever point match against Neroca FC since his debut in the Hero I-League here Wednesday.

The Kerala-based training had already been twice received at the last edition, but it stole a vital point against the Manipuri team at Khuman Lampak stadium. 19659004] Local player Baoringdao Bodo opened the scoring for the visitors at half-time but Eduardo Ferriera (59 ') scored the equalizer to open the scoring in the 12th edition.

FC Neroca FC's new president, Manuel, at Fraile caused two changes from the last match: Varney Kallon, injured, made his return to his usual position and Ronald made his first start in the season.

On the other side of the field, George Bino as much as four changes in the starting line as well. He brought Rashid K., Pritam Singh, Monotosh and Rajesh S. who played a spectacular match against Mohun Bagan the day before.

The hosts went on the field following a defeat against East Bengal, while visitors moved Imphal has gathered much needed appetites against the Mariners.

In the 13th minute, Subash Singh rushed into the box with the intention of finding the back of the net but Ortiz came to the rescue of his team. Five minutes later, the Neroca FC striker had another opportunity to open the goal's jaws, but after a scrum in the box, he lost his chance.

At the half-hour mark whistle, Malem Meitei made a long ball for Aryn Williams who wasted what might have been the best opportunity for the hosts in the first period.

Meitei's long balloon landed perfectly on the Australian's head, but he failed to connect it in time, resulting in A goal for the visitors.

Bino George introduced Bodo in the 35th minute and this action proved to be a feat of the master of Gokulam Kerala FC. The Manipuri player tore Neroca FC's defense within 10 minutes of arriving on the pitch to silence the noisy crowd.

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