KOLKATA: Chennai City FC went down fighting 0-2 against Real Kashmir FC at the Mohun Bagan ground in Kolkata on Friday. In a cagey match where chances were few and both teams cancelled each other out in the middle of the park, Dipanda Dicka’s 16th minute strike and a late goal by substitute Lalrindika Ralte proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Although Chennai City FC dominated possession for much of the match, Real Kashmir’s counter-attacking style of play earned them the win. The Cameroonian forward connected first time off a Lukman Adefemi cut-back inside the box and smashed the ball home to hand the Snow Leopards a solitary goal lead.
Chennai City FC played a very high line and even at one point had 11 men inside Real Kashmir’s half, the ability to create a clear goal scoring chance was missing. Real Kashmir defended in droves. The Snow Leopards committed bodies in defence and even overloaded the ball side with maximum bodies.
In the 84th minute, goalscorer Dicka turned provider as he played a through ball for substitute Lalrindika Ralte, who slotted home from inside the box to double Real Kashmir’s lead. Real Kashmir held on to their two-goal lead and saw the match off to register their first win of the Hero I-league season.
NEROCA, TRAU draw
KALYANI: NEROCA FC were held to a 1-1 draw against Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) in their first match of the Hero I-League season, the Imphal derby, at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Friday. Varun Thokchom’s 10th-minute strike was cancelled out by Joseph Olaleye’s 15th-minute header as both teams shared the spoils.
With their first shot on target NEROCA took the lead. A defensive lapse left a huge gap between the two central defenders and Varun Thokchom ran into the vacant space to receive a cross from the flank. The nimble-footed forward made no mistake and slotted past the TRAU custodian.
The lead, however, was short-lived. In the 15th minute, Joseph Olaleye thunderous header off a Komron Tusirov corner kick grabbed an equaliser for TRAU.
