KALYANI: Chencho Gyeltshen’s brace inspired RoundGlass Punjab FC to break TRAU’s undefeated record as the Curtis Fleming-coached side defeated their opponents 2-0 at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Thursday.
With this win, RoundGlass Punjab FC climbed to third on the Hero I-League table with eight points, while TRAU slipped to seventh. Two moments of brilliance by RoundGlass Punjab FC’s Bhutanese import handed them a much-needed win that could revive their Hero I-League season.
In a spectacular start that saw end-to-end action in the opening minutes of the match, both teams tried hard to take the early lead. TRAU pressed higher up the park and tried to squeeze RoundGlass Punjab FC into giving away possession. The high pressing style of play hampered RoundGlass Punjab FC’s midfield as the Curtis Fleming-coached side lost possession multiple times in the middle of the park.
Where TRAU missed, RoundGlass Punjab scored. In the 42nd minute, a long shot from outside the box by Suranjit Singh was spilt by TRAU’s custodian Soram Poirei. Lurking inside the box, Chencho took advantage and smashed the ball home to take the lead.
TRAU’s Tajik import Komron Tursunov, who has been the go-to man for the club for goals, was largely kept quiet. On the other end, playing on the counter, RoundGlass Punjab had two glorious opportunities to double their lead but Ashish Jha scuffed both chances.
In the 64th minute, a cross from the right flank by Suranjit Singh was brought down by Chencho inside the box. With his first touch leading the ball away from him, the Bhutanese forward showed signs of brilliance as he controlled the ball quickly, scooped it to his right foot, and unleashed a venomous shot
Real wallop for Arrows: Real Kashmir put in a ruthless attacking display to beat Indian Arrows 6-0 in the sixth round of fixtures at the VYBK Stadium in Kolkata. A brace from Dipanda Dicka, was followed by strikes from Lukman Adefemi, Haroon Amiri, Chesterpoul Lyngdoh and Danish Farooq.
After a surge of attacks from Real Kashmir, the Arrows slowly got into the game, and put up a fight. Minutes after the water break, Mason Robertson wasted another opportunity to break the deadlock. Farhan Ganai launched a long ball forward and Sajad failed to clear his line. Dipanda Dicka pounced on the bouncing ball and headed it before the oncoming Bukhari to open the scoring.
Samuel James Lyngdoh delivered a floating delivery from the corner, and it was met by Lukman Adefemi. The Nigerian made no mistake as he slotted his header past Bukhari in the Arrows goal. Real Kashmir put the game to bed in the 61st minute after Haroon Amiri powered Sena Ralte’s free-kick past a hapless Arrows defence. (Picture & report: AIFF Media)
Points Table
Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
Churchill Brothers FC Goa | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 12 |
Real Kashmir FC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 |
RoundGlass Punjab FC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Sudeva Delhi FC | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
Aizawl FC | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
Mohammedan SC | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 7 |
Tiddim Road Athletic Union | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
Gokulam Kerala FC | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
Chennai City FC | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
NEROCA FC | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Indian Arrows | 6 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 |