With each passing week of play, the competition for promotion and survival in the I-League gets stronger as the 2023–24 season approaches a close. While Neroca FC and TRAU FC are still struggling and seem destined for relegation, Mohammedan SC is still leading the league, five points ahead of Sreenidi Deccan FC in second place. We’ll look at some of the significant events from each game this match week, from Elhadji Karim Samb’s hat-trick to Lyndogh’s incredible stoppage-time goal and more.
Churchill Brothers registers third consecutive win
Churchill Brothers defeated Neroca FC in the first encounter of the match week. In the eighth minute, Ansumana Kromah gave the home team Neroca FC the lead. A few minutes later, January acquisition Elhadji Karim Samb gave the Goan team the equalizer. Aniket Panchal’s goal for Neroca FC gave them the lead just before the interval. Neroca was hoping to win a match for the first time this year, but Churchill Brothers ended up winning 3-2 and claimed all three points as Elhadji Karim Samb scored twice in the second half to complete his hat-trick.
With this victory, Churchill Brothers FC has now won three straight games for the first time since the I-League season of 2021–2022. The Goan team has improved its performance in the previous three games to move to the seventh position, four points above the relegation zone, after a dismal start to the season that resulted in the dismissal of head coach Edgardo Malvestiti. Neroca FC’s miserable season continues as they have lost nine straight games; their most recent victory came against Delhi FC in November 2023. It appears more probable than not that Neroca FC will be relegated to I-League 2 this season as things now stand.
Inter Kashi scores record six goals against TRAU FC
Inter Kashi beat TRAU FC 6-3 in the second game of the match week, recording their biggest-ever victory in the I-League. Inter Kashi’s first goal came from Nikum Gyamar, and a few minutes later, Muhammad Ajsal scored another. Just before the interval, TRAU FC’s Sardor Jakhonov pulled one back for the visitors. Ajsal scored again early in the second half to give the home team a two-goal lead again. Jordan Lamela scored Kashi’s fourth goal after Issahak Nuhu scored for TRAU. Following another goal from Issahak Nuhu for TRAU FC, Mohammed Asif, and Gianni Dos Santos netted the fifth and sixth goals for Inter Kashi.
Inter Kashi’s unbeaten run has extended to six games as they secured another victory. Inter Kashi, who is participating in the I-League for the first time, has performed very well and appears to be headed for a top-half finish. In all competitions, Carlos Santamarina’s team has now scored in nine straight games, demonstrating their young yet dynamic attack. With a goal difference of -29, TRAU is now at the bottom of the league having lost four games in a row. Their defensive problems have been exposed once again as they have now conceded the most goals in the league this season—49. Like Neroca FC, TRAU FC’s chances of being relegated rise with each passing match week.
Damaitphang Lyngdoh’s late winner secures all three points for Shillong Lajong
At the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl, Aizawl hosted Shillong Lajong in the third encounter of the match week. In the 27th minute, Phrangki Buam gave the visiting team the lead. To level the score for the home team, Lalrinzuala Lalbiaknia scored his tenth goal of the season from the penalty spot. In stoppage time, Damaitphang Lyngdoh produced a moment of magic as he struck a beautiful left-footed strike to score the game’s winning goal and give Shillong Lajong all three points. Lyndogh scored his first senior goal as well as his first goal in the I-League with this strike.
Aizawl FC was in brilliant form in the league before the midseason break; they had only lost two of their eleven league games and were still very much in the running for promotion. However, in the six games they have played after the mid-season break, they failed to record to secure a win. Having failed to win since he took over, manager Stojkovski Bobi will be hoping for things to improve as they are now very near to the relegation zone. After suffering a setback in their previous encounter against Churchill Brothers, Shillong will be delighted to resume their winning ways. As promotion is no longer a possibility, they would be aiming for a top-half-of-the-table finish.
Mohammedan SC inching towards promotion with yet another victory
The match week’s fourth game saw Mohammedan SC easily defeat Namdhari FC at home, winning 3-1. To start the scoring for the Kolkata team, defender Zodingliana Ralte scored his first goal of the season. About an hour into the game, the hosts’ lead was increased by Bikash Singh. Imanol Arana gave the visitors a response from the penalty spot, but Akashdeep Singh’s own goal gave Mohammedan SC the two-goal advantage once again.
With this latest triumph, Mohammedan SC is getting closer to becoming a part of the Indian Super League, the country’s premier football competition. The Black Panthers are now five points ahead of Sreenidi Deccan after playing 18 league games this season. They have only lost one game. Mohammedan SC seems ready for promotion this time around after falling out on it in the 2021–22 campaign. Regarding Namdhari, the team’s performance in their inaugural I-League season has been wildly inconsistent. They have won a few games and have at times displayed their abilities, but they have had difficulty going on a winning streak. They will be determined to put up a fight in the remaining games and avoid relegation.
Sreenidi Deccan overcomes Delhi FC to keep alive their chances of promotion
Sreenidi Deccan defeated Delhi FC 1-0 in an intense battle in the match week’s fifth game. Sreenidi Deccan earned all three points as Lalromawia scored the game’s solitary goal. Sreenidi Deccan FC’s head coach, Carlos Vaz Pinto, would be pleased to see his team win again after they lost their most recent match against Real Kashmir FC. Having gained this victory, they are currently five points behind leaders Mohammedan SC and remain in the running for ISL promotion. While they hope Mohammedan SC drop points in the upcoming games, the Deccan Warriors will be looking to win their remaining games to achieve promotion.
Delhi FC has now lost three straight games and won just once in their previous five matches. Despite their team’s solid start to the season, head coach Yan Law will be unhappy with their recent performances as they have just picked up six points in their last seven games. They have done a fantastic job of establishing themselves in the I-League after being promoted this season. They will aim to push for a mid-table position to get a head start ahead of next season.
Gokulam Kerala and Real Kashmir share the spoils
At the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Gokulam Kerala FC played Real Kashmir FC in the match week’s final fixture. Both sides needed a victory if they were to stay in the running for promotion. However, the game finished in a 1-1 draw. Gnohere Krizo gave the Snow Leopards the lead in the 65th minute to open the scoring after a goalless yet intense first half. Serbian striker Matija Babović tied the score for the Malabarians in just three minutes. Gokulam Kerala’s head coach Domingo Oramas chose not to bring on Alex Sanchez, the leading scorer of the 2023–24 I-League, despite the team pursuing an equalizer. With this result, Gokulam has failed to register a win in their last three games.
The likelihood of promotion for both sides currently appears remote due to the tie. With just three games remaining, Gokulam Kerala FC are currently eight points behind Mohammedan SC, suggesting the possibility that their prospects of promotion are virtually gone. Although the Malabarians won the I-League twice in a row two years back, they could not replicate that success as they were once again denied promotion. Real Kashmir has now gone five games without a loss as a result of this outcome. Ishfaq Ahmed has performed admirably this season with a large number of local players; he will hope to build on this and pursue ISL promotion once again next year.
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