Matchweek 16 of the 2023-24 I-League season was exciting and unique in many ways. It was devoid of draws, for the first time since Week 10, and high scoring. Several teams won by big margins, but there were some close encounters and a late comeback. The main talking point of the week would be the sheer number of standout goals that were scored, of which Gnohere Krizo’s took the limelight.
Read on for a brief summary of each result.
Top-form Gokulam thrash Rajasthan United
Week 16 of the 2023-24 I-League season kicked off at the Namdhari Stadium on Friday, 16th February. The fixture saw Gokulam Kerala improve on their tremendous form by defeating Rajasthan United 4 – 1.
Gokulam’s Tajik forward Komron Tursunov was the lone goalscorer in the first half, with his 28th minute strike. However, Gokulam added three more in the second half. I-League top-scorer Álex Sánchez scored in the 52nd minute (his fourteenth of the season), followed by another from Turnsunov. 18-year-old Laishram Johnson came off the bench to net his first ever I-League goal in the 80th minute.
Rajasthan United got a late consolation in the 90th minute through their Ghanian attacker Kwaku Denzell.
The four consecutive wins, along with their game in hand, means the Malabarians have a strong say in the title debate. On the other hand, Rajasthan United are grappling just above the relegation zone.
TRAU go toe-to-toe with Mohammedan, but succumb to another loss
Bottom-placed TRAU welcomed table-toppers Mohammedan SC to Kalyani Stadium on Saturday, February 17th. Both teams came into the fixture with contrasting form – Mohammedan lost once in the last five, while TRAU won once in the previous five.
Despite the odds being weighed against them, TRAU put on a strong first half display. The Red Pythons had plenty of promising chances, but misfortune seemed to contrive against them. A goal line clearance, some good saves and missed sitters prevented TRAU from going ahead.
Things got worse for the Red Pythons in first half injury time as Mohammedan scored a brilliant team goal at the other end.
The second half proved to be equally excruciating for the Red Pythons. Robinson Singh hit the post from close range and another chance trickled wide. Mohammedan had many chances of their own, but they did not seal their win until the 91st minute, when last week’s hat-trick hero Eddie Hernández completed his brace with a scrappy goal.
With each loss TRAU’s chance of survival is becoming increasingly unlikely. However, the Red Pythons can take pride in going toe-to-toe with the I-League leaders. From Mohammedan’s perspective, they managed to take all three point, but any slip up in the remaining nine games can cost them a precious title and promotion.
Kynsaibor Lhuid’s brace helps Shillong past NEROCA
NEROCA, unable to play at Khuman Lampak Stadium due to the conflict in Manipur, hosted Shillong Lajong at the SSA Ground in Shillong on Sunday, February 18th.
NEROCA were looking to break their five-game losing streak, but a second half brace from Shillong’s Kynsaibor Lhuid dashed their hopes.
Shillong Lajong were the better side throughout the game, but were unable to convert their first half opportunities. NEROCA took a cleansheet into the break but it did not translate into the second period. Lhuid opened the scoring in the 52nd minute, with his first I-League goal, and promptly doubled the lead in the 61st. The second goal was a delightful curler from outside the box.
The Reds’ supporters will be pleased as their side’s dominant performance moved them up to 5th. NEROCA, meanwhile, are second-bottom, having failed to take a single point in their last six games. They are tied with city-rivals TRAU, who are in bottom place.
Inter Kashi ease past Namdhari
Sunday’s second fixture saw Inter Kashi return to winning ways after they defeated Namdhari FC 4 – 1 at the Kalyani Stadium.
The hosts got off to an early lead, going ahead through Edmund Lalrindika in the 3rd minute and extending the margin through Deepak Devrani in the 14th. Namdhari pulled one back twenty two minutes later, and the threat of a comeback was palpable.
However, a strong second half showing from Inter Kashi quickly distinguished Namdhari’s hope of a recovery. Spaniard Mario Barco scored Kashi’s third in the 52nd minute, before Tomba Singh added a fourth in the 79th minute.
Both teams came into this fixture with turbulent form; Inter Kashi leave at the crest, Nambdhari at the trough. The win puts Inter Kashi four points off the top four, while Namdhari stay in 11th.
Gnohere Krizo’s ‘Puskas contender’ pushes Real Kashmir past Churchill Brothers
Real Kashmir travelled to Goa to face Churchill Brothers on the back of an agonising injury time loss to Rajasthan FC. Desperately needing a win to remain in the title hunt, their wishes were fulfilled thanks to second half goals from Gnohere Krizo and Kamo Bayi.
Churchill Brothers were probing throughout the first half, but their efforts were either off-target or thwarted by Muheet Shabir. Real Kashmir had some half-chances, but the score remained level at the break.
The hosts had more promising attacking moves to start the second period, but lack of final-third prowess kept them off the scoresheet. Meanwhile, Kashmir’s Krizo scored a ‘Puskas contender’ with an unbelievable volley from some 25 yards out.
Churchill Brothers continued knocking at the door, this time for an equalizer, but they were unable to force it. In the process, they conceded a second, late in injury time, which settled the result.
The hosts will feel hard done by for emerging empty handed from this fixture. They remain in 10th place. Meanwhile, Real Kashmir are three points off the top three, in fourth spot.
Sreenidi Deccan put five past Aizawl, stay within five of I-League leaders
The final fixture of Matchweek 16 saw Sreenidi Deccan defeat Aizawl FC in convincing fashion at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Tuesday, February 19th.
The visitors, looking to keep up with the top two, opened the scoring in the 27th minute. David Castañeda, who missed a penalty just ten minutes prior, was the goalscorer. Aizawl had a prime opportunity to level late in the first half, but Lalhriatpuia could not beat Albino Gomes from a breakaway situation.
Aizawl started the second half strong, as Joe Zoherliana, profiting from a friendly rebound, equalized in the 49th minute. However, Tka Chinzah’s sending off four minutes later put the hosts on the back-foot once more.
Sreenidi Deccan capitalised on their man-advantage in emphatic fashaion. They took the lead in the 67th minute and added goals in the 85th, 90th, and 97th. Ibrahim Sissoko had a brace, and both his goals were spectacular in their own right.
The win keeps Sreenidi Deccan in the top three, five points behind Mohammedan and level with Gokulam Kerala. Victories for table neighbours means Aizawl drop two places to 7th.
Late comeback sees Gokulam overcome Delhi
Matchweek 13’s fixture between Gokulam Kerala and Delhi FC, postponed due to a water-logged pitch, was also played this week. Delhi, hoping to progress into the top-half of the table, led the game for 85 minutes, but a late rally from the in-form Malabarians saw their advantage vanish.
While Gokulam were the favourites, Delhi showed a real attacking intent early in the first half. DFC’s exploits were rewarded in first half injury time, when Pape Gassama’s whipped corner deflected off a defender and went in at the near post. Gokulam retaliated immediately, and Álex Sánchez was brought down violently in the box by Vinil Poojary. But to the surprise of Sánchez and his teammates, the referee gave a corner kick instead of flashing his red card and pointing to the spot.
The second half saw Gokulam fight relentlessly for an equalizer. The Malabarians spammed the Delhi box with crosses and long throws, and it finally paid dividends in the 84th minute. DFC defender Gurtej Singh had an unfortunate trip in the process of dealing with an awkward clearance, which led to him handling the ball. The referee awarded the penalty and Sánchez made no mistake from the spot.
Eight minutes later, Lalliansanga Renthlei, who had come off the bench to make his Gokulam debut, headed in their second and completed the comeback. Delhi FC had one last chance to come up with a point, with the last kick of the game, but Poojary was unable to shoot on target.
Having won five games on the trot, the Malabarians are edging their way into the title race once again. Domingo Orama’s side are now in second place, level on points with Sreenidi Deccan and five points behind Mohammedan.
Meanwhile, Delhi FC’s unstable form continues. They are in 8th position.
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