Kolkata, West Bengal: Hero I-league debutants – Real Kashmir FC snatched a stunning win against Kolkata giants, Mohun Bagan, to move to the third spot in the Hero I-League point’s table.

Mason Robertson struck twice in the 33rd and the 74th minutes, ensuring that Real Kashmir FC remained unbeaten on the move so far in their debut season. Sony Norde’s screaming free-kick in the 42nd minute was the only goal that the hosts could manage in the game, who are now placed sixth on the Hero I-League points table. Mason Robertson was deservingly adjudged to be the Hero of the Match.

While Mohun Bagan made five changes in today’s game, the most noticeable change was that of Sony Norde coming back into the starting list and Dipanda Dicka sitting on the bench. For Real Kashmir, Mason Robertson found his way into the starting list as an injury-ridden Krizo had to sit out.

Real Kashmir FC, who have not lost an away game so far, as expected, started with their attacking football. Mohun Bagan, however, made attempts on the counter but the Real Kashmir defence line ensured that the hosts did not find enough opportunities to create trouble for them.

Real Kashmir, however, did not stop trying and were soon rewarded in the 33rd minute when an outstanding cross from Surchandra Singh to Mason Robertson inside the box saw the latter make no errors in heading the ball into the goal, drawing first blood for the Snow Leopards.

Mohun Bagan who were left rattled with this goal, sprung back to action making constant attempts to score, but the Real Kashmir defenders ensured that the hosts do not find enough space to manage an equaliser.

Real Kashmir’s physical game cost them dearly when a silly foul by Abhash Thapa on Yuta Kinowaki just outside their box not only earned a free kick for Mohun Bagan but also led to a yellow card for the snow leopards. Sony Norde, who took the free-kick thereafter, made no mistakes in showcasing his class as he ensured his shot thudded off the crossbar and darted into the Real Kashmir goal in the 42nd minute. The heavily entertaining first half came to an end with the score reading 1-1 for both Mohun Bagan and Real Kashmir FC.

The second half began with hosts Mohun Bagan pressing hard for a lead but they were left wanting against an organised Real Kashmir defence line. Mohun Bagan, who looked desperate for a lead looked quite threatening breaching into the Real Kashmir box at regular intervals, but the lack of a good finish inside the box cost them heavily.

On the other hand, Real Kashmir, like before, kept plugging away at chances on the counter and their efforts were again rewarded in the 74th minute when Mason Roberston struck his second goal of the day to hand the visitors the lead once again.

The game changed gears from there. While on one hand, Mohun Bagan made numerous attempts to find the equaliser again, Real Kashmir ensured that most of their players were positioned deep enough to defend and keep every threatening moment away, on the other.

Mohun Bagan came really close to scoring a couple of times in the final few minutes of the game but some great defending from Real Kashmir along with some misdirected shots from Mohun Bagan cost the hosts the game.

(I-League Media)

Vasco, Goa: Churchill Brothers made it two wins in a row after Anthony Wolfe scored a second-half brace at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco Da Gama, to help the Red Machines climb to the third spot on the 12th Hero I-League table on Saturday.

Wolfe was adjudged Hero of the Match for his efforts from the bench.

With this win, Churchill have posted 19 points on the board, and are one ahead of Real Kashmir. However, the Red Machines have played one game extra, and the side from the northern-most state of India can reclaim the third spot if they can notch up three points against Mohun Bagan at the Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Sunday.

Meanwhile, defending Champions Minerva Punjab remained on the seventh position, with 13 points from 11 games (3 wins, 4 draws, 4 losses).

The match got off on a rather drab note, with both the sides choosing not to reveal all their cards right away. However, Minerva gaffer Paul Munster changed the tempo of the game by bringing on Japanese attacker Yu Koboki in place of his compatriot Hitova Ayemi on the 35th minute.

Koboki immediately looked to impact the game, as he initiated a couple of quick attacks towards the fag end of the first half. On the 44th minute, he was laid-off by midfielder Akash Sangwan inside the box but was crowded out, before Churchill keeper James Kithan collected the ball.

A couple of minutes later, the Japanese attacker again combined with William Opoku, but Koboki was flagged offside.

Changing over to the second half, Churchill boss Petre Gigiu gave it 10 minutes, before bringing on his super-sub Anthony Wolfe. The Trinidadian forward wasted no time and put the Red Machines ahead on the 61st minute.

The 35-year-old put Churchill’s three points beyond doubt with just six minutes of regulation time left on the clock, when he slotted a penalty to the left of Minerva keeper Bhaskar Roy.

After a great start to the season, Gigiu’s side had suffered somewhat of a slump, when they dropped six points in four matches. However, the Red Machines seem to have bounced back with two wins on the trot, and will now be raring to go against Gokulam in their next match.

Meanwhile, its dark days for Minerva, as they have picked up only two points in their last four matches. Although the defending champions are just three points from the top half of the table, they are also slipping dangerously close to the drop zone.

(I-League Media)

Aizawl, Mizoram: Indian Arrows snatched a 1-0 victory over hosts and former Champions Aizawl FC thanks to a solitary goal from youngster Rohit Danu the 57th game of the 12th Hero I-League 2018-19.

By virtue of this goal, Danu also became the youngest player to score a goal in the I-League beating fellow Arrows starlet Jitendra Singh to the record, at the age of 16 years, five months and 27 days.

The match that was played at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, in Aizawl saw Indian Arrows rise up in the Hero I-League points table to the ninth position, while hosts Aizawl FC slipped a place to be now in the 10th spot. Anwar Ali of Indian arrows was adjudged as the Hero of the Match.

As expected, Aizawl, fresh from their fighting win against Gokulam Kerala FC in their last encounter, started on an attacking note. However, the Indian Arrows, who are known for their rock-solid defence, stood up to their reputation, denying the hosts any clear chance.

Their persistence was soon rewarded when a faulty pass from Aizawl’s Nigerian defender – Kareem Nurain to Lalronsonga was cleverly intercepted at the centre line by Arrows mid-fielder Khumanthem Meetei. Meetei thereafter made a beautiful run from the centre line to play a superb pass to Rohit Danu just outside the box, who made no mistakes in ensuring that the ball ended up in the back of the net on the 14th minute.

The game, thereafter, saw Aizawl come back with added enthusiasm but full marks to the dedicated defence line of the Arrows, the hosts couldn’t really make the most of their experience in finding an equaliser.

The closest that Aizawl probably came to beating the Arrows defence and scoring was when Rochher Zella missed an open scoring opportunity, misdirecting the ball off an inch-perfect pass from Fanai. The game thereafter was a mix of attempts from both sides as the first half came to closure with Indian Arrows leading by a solitary goal.

The second half began with Aizawl FC pressing hard to score from the first minute, but the Arrows solid defence line was way too hard for them to breach. Numerous attempts to score by the former champions were foiled time and again by the young visitors through some beautiful interceptions inside the box, while on a few occasions when the hosts did breach the Arrows defenders, it was their goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill, who stood tall enough to deny Aizawl a chance to equalise.

On the other hand, Indian Arrows took a few attempts at the Aizawl goal on the counter but failed to double their lead. The second half, which was played mostly out on the midfield, came to an end with the young Indian Arrows snatching a 1-0 victory against hosts and former champions Aizawl FC.

(I-League Media)

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: Chennai City FC consolidated their lead on top of the 12th Hero I-League standings after Neroca momentarily drew level with them at the top of the table. Riding Pedro Manzi’s third hattrick of the campaign Chennai managed to repeat first leg’s 3-2 scoreline against Gokulam Kerala FC, this time at their home in Coimbatore’s Nehru Stadium on Friday.

Manzi scored in the eighth, 59th and 80th minute of the game, cancelling out Mudde Musa and Joel Sunday’s strikes from Gokulam in the 17th and 38th minutes, respectively, to help his side register a comeback victory after both sides were reduced to 10 men at the end of the first half.

Chennai dominated possession throughout the game and took advantage of the extra space which had opened up in the second half, to take home full three points in a crucial game for the home side.

With this win, Chennai move to 24 points from eleven games and are three clear of Neroca, who have played the same number of matches.

Gokulam remain eighth, their title hopes well and truly buried, with 10 points from 11 games.

The Kerala side adopted physical tactics to stop the marauding Spanish Armada of Chennai City and it looked to have worked initially, with them taking a lead into the break, but Arjun Jayaraj’s red card, seemed to have affected them more than Pandiyan’s did to Chennai, helping the hosts claw their way back into the game in the second half.

Gokulam coach Bino George made Joel Sunday and Rajesh start the game in place of Fabricio Ortiz, who was out for his card offences, and Pritam Singh, both of whom had started their last game. The hosts made one change, bringing back Romario Jesuraj in place of Vijay.

Chennai took the lead as early as the eighth minute of the game when the Sandro and Pedro Manzi combination struck again. Chennai got a corner and Sandro delivered with pinpoint accuracy towards Manzi lurking unmarked on the far post.

His first-time side-volley on the turn bounced and eluded keeper Shibinraj‘s palm while defender Abhishek Das, standing on the line, tried to clear with his head, but only managed to send it through to the roof of the Gokulam net.

Gokulam equalised nine minutes later when Rajesh’s header off a wonderful free-kick delivery by Jayaraj into the box, stuck the Chennai upright and fell to Mudde Musa, whose reflex shot saw the ball bulged the roof of the Chennai net this time.

Then just as the first half looked like petering out towards a draw, Gokulam earned a penalty when Marton Eugene was judged to have handled the ball inside the box off a great cross from Das from the right flank.

Nigerian Joel Sunday, after having scored off a penalty in the previous game, missed this one as Santana brought about a good save, but on the rebound, he ensured that Gokulam went ahead, as he drove home his third of the campaign from close.

There was more to the half though than the three goals.

Just before the half-time whistle, Jayaraj and Chennai’s Pandiyan Srinivasan, who had just come on in place of Eugene, got into a needless scuffle and were promptly shown the red card by referee Om Prakash Thakur.

With both teams down to 10-men, Chennai upped the ante in the second half although Gokulam’s Christian Sabah missed the first golden chance of the half to score.

He went clear into the box after a defensive lapse to score and with only the keeper to beat, made the wrong decision, choosing not to take a first-time shot and wasted the chance.

Then in the 58th minute, Sandro hit the side netting and Chennai knew they were getting closer.

A minute later, Manzi struck his second of the game and ninth of the league, when a floated ball from Nestor into the Gokulam box, saw him shrug off Abhishek Das on his shoulder, to connect with a header, which lobbed over Shibinraj and went into the Gokulam goal. Chennai were back level.

Manzi completed his third hattrick of the 12th Hero I-League on the 80th minute of the game.

It was a Nestor volley this time, off a second ball from just outside the Gokulam box which brought a save from Shibinraj.

Manzi pounced on the rebound ahead of a defender to drill it into the Gokulam net, sending himself to the top of the scorer’s chart with his 10th goal of the campaign.

(I-League Media)

Imphal, Manipur: Spectators at the Khuman Lumpak Stadium, Imphal – hosts to the 55th game of the Hero I-League 2019 – witnessed a high-scoring game as hosts Neroca FC remained unbeaten at home, defeating a young Shillong Lajong FC 3-2.

Neroca drew first blood through a penalty from Katsumi Yusa on the eighth minute followed by their second goal in the 21st minute from Singham Subash Singh, who was also adjudged the Hero of the Match.

Neroca’s third goal in the 55th minute was a result of an own goal from Lajong captain Dohling Aiban. The visitors got their two hard-earned goals through a penalty from Sheen in the 53rd minute, followed by a screamer from Phrangki Buam on the 89th.

Shillong started on an attacking note, but their lack of experience was clearly visible when a possible chance in the first few minutes could not be converted to their favour. Neroca FC, who were clearly playing with a much better flair, overpowered the young guns from Lajong.

A silly tackle inside the box in the seventh minute from Lajong’s captain Dohling Aiban on Katsumi Yusa led to a penalty being awarded to the hosts. Katsumi thereafter made no mistakes in finding the back of the net giving Neroca FC a much needed early lead in the game.

A shift in gears by Neroca changed the game somewhat, as the hosts kept attacking in short intervals, keeping the Lajong defenders on their toes. Neroca forwards Kastumi Yusa and Subash Singh were in their elements on the day with able support from Aryn Williams and Malem.

However, some really close chances for the hosts could not really see them doubling their lead untill the 21st minute when an outstanding run followed by a cross from Katrsumi Yusa to Subash Singh saw the latter make no mistakes in doubling the lead for the hosts in an authoritative manner.

The young Shillong Lajong players slowly tried coming back to terms with some well-planned counters but their lack of creativity in the final third prevented them from reducing the two-goal deficit. The closest that the visitors got to scoring was in the 38th minute, when Sheen failed to convert from an outstanding pass from Mahesh Naorem Singh. Neroca FC showcased their authority on the game, edging out Shillong Lajong in the first 45 minutes with a 2-0 lead.

The second half began with Lajong pressing hard as expected. However, the experienced hosts ensured that the young visitors do not get any clear chance to narrow the two-goal deficit. Lajong, who are known for their go-getter attitude, soon earned their rewards when a solo run from Naorem Mahesh was put to stop from an unnecessary foul from Neroca’s Sebsatian Zoe inside the Neroca box.

The referee took no time in awarding a penalty to Shillong, which Sheen Lalit Thapa saved, before Sheen converted it on the rebound.

Neroca, however, went for a counter and eventually found the back of the net minutes later thanks to an own goal from Shillong Lajong FC captain Dohling Aiban in the 55th minute taking the score to 3-1.

Lajong thereafter made numerous attempts to further reduce the deficit, but a lack of finishing and Neroca FC’s strong defence line prevented them. Neroca FC, however, were equal culprits of missing a few clear chances to score which could have given them a heavy cushion in the game.

Shillong Lajong FC, who were clearly edged out, however, found their space on the 89th minute through a screamer from Phrangki Buam, reducing their deficit to a single goal. Their attempts to finish the match on level terms were in vain as Neroca FC held on to the lead.

With this win, Neroca once again draw level with Chennai City on 21 points at the top of the table. However, Chennai are ahead by dint of a better head-to-head record.

(I-League Media)

Bhubaneswar, Odisha: After two losses on the trot, Churchill Brothers picked up a win in their clash against the Indian Arrows in the first match of the 12th Hero I-League at the Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar on Sunday (December 30, 2018). A goal from Willis Plaza was enough to hand the Goan side the three points while the Arrows suffered their first loss in three games.

It was the away side that started off the first half on a stronger note, with the league’s top scorer Plaza testing the gloves of Prabhsukhan Gill in the 4th minute. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, the Trinidadian shimmied to his left and fired in a powerful effort that produced a fantastic diving save from the Arrows goalie.

Floyd Pinto’s side, that came into the match off the back of four points in two games and two clean sheets, then created the next chance of the match. Boris Singh, playing as a winger, drove past his marker and fizzed in a cross, which was thwarted by Rowlinson Rodrigues.

The match turned into a tactical tussle in the middle of the park as both sides vied for possession and control over the game. The Arrows looked to play their quick-passing, high-tempo style while Churchill aimed to slow down the pace of the encounter. Rahim Ali and Amarjit Singh had an effort each from long range but the young side failed to test the opposition keeper.

However, just when it appeared that the first half would end goalless, the away side scored the opening goal through their main marksman Plaza in the 40th minute. A long ball was played into the Arrows’ box and centre-back Jitendra Singh mistimed his clearance, which fell kindly to Plaza and he made no mistake in slotting the ball home.

The former East Bengal man did not take to the pitch in the second half due to an injury concern and was replaced by compatriot Anthony Wolfe. With the action restarting, the Arrows upped their urgency as they looked for the equaliser.

Rahim Ali looked like a threat throughout the course of the encounter but the Churchill defence remained rock solid. Wolfe, in the 54th minute, had a good chance to extend his side’s lead after he beat Jitendra and Asish Rai down the left but Gill was alert to the danger and took the ball off the attacker’s feet.

The Arrows had their chance to level the scores in the 74th minute as Boris’ cross caused chaos in the Churchill defence. The loose ball fell to Anwar Ali inside the penalty area but his effort went just over the bar.

Aniket Jadhav and Sanjeev Stalin came on for the Arrows they continued to hunt for their first goal of the match. Five minutes were added on by the referee and despite multiple waves of pressure by the young boys in blue, the Goan side held firm and maintained a clean sheet to pick up all three points.

(I-League Media)