It was another week of fascinating and riveting battles that elevated the standards of India’s second-tier league system, which is nearing an epic conclusion to a three-way title race. There were moments of captivating and engaging encounters that have now propelled the I-League’s reputation off the charts. With only six more rounds to go, it is now a situation where none can predict the outcome, and it remains to be seen whether there will be a dramatic finish.
Now, let’s take a look at how teams performed during the past week.
Delhi sidelines Neroca
Delhi FC has added another victory to their deck with an easy win over relegation-fighting Neroca FC. The game was dominated by Delhi as they went two goals up in the first half, marking their presence as the superior competitor. It was also the first away win for the team led by Yan Law, placing them 7th on the table with that victory. Both teams rallied in an attacking 4-3-3 setup, but it was Delhi who found rhythm early in the game.
Delhi spoiled the party in the 4th minute as their Uzbek forward, Shokhrukhbek Muratov, opened the scoring chart, and Rahul Rawat extended the lead in the 21st minute. The game continued on a low note until the end, but Neroca didn’t have the firepower to overcome the hurdle. They indeed found one goal back during the second half through their Ivorian midfielder, Adama Coulibaly, in the 59th minute. The tally of losses extends to a 7-game streak for Neroca, as they last won a game against the same Delhi FC in November 2023. They are now occupying the 12th place in the table with only 7 points, alongside TRAU FC.
Read More: I-League Matchweek 16 Review
Aizawl and Rajasthan share the spoils
Aizawl and Rajasthan finally secured some breathing space after suffering heavy defeats against league giants in the last round of fixtures for both teams. Aizawl, which started the league on fire and was once a contender for the title, is now on a dry path with no malice up their sleeves, coming after a dreadful 1-5 loss at home against Sreenidhi last week. On the other hand, Rajasthan was thrashed by Gokulam and Mohammedan in their last two games with hefty scorelines of 1-4 and 1-5 respectively.
The game progressed in a typical fashion, with both teams evenly matched in all aspects. Neither of them managed to capitalize on their opportunities to score, failing to make effective use of their finishing abilities. Consequently, both teams find themselves in a position where they need to regroup and regain their momentum to secure victory. Aizawl, currently in 8th place, faces the challenge of Real Kashmir in their upcoming match, while Rajasthan will travel to Shillong.
Enthralling contest ends all square at Varanasi
Inter Kashi and Real Kashmir battled fiercely in their last face-off at Ekana Football Stadium in Varanasi. Neither team showed any intention of letting the other gain an advantage or allowing them an opportunity to score. The match was characterized by numerous encounters across the field, with both teams having clear chances to secure three points. The defensive strength of both sides was formidable, yet their skillful combination plays managed to create openings in each other’s defense, though ultimately without success.
The game saw both teams making strides at various points, but it was Inter Kashi who emerged victorious after their valiant efforts thwarted Real Kashmir’s attempts to hold out, courtesy of Mario Barco’s goal in the 76th minute. However, the excitement persisted until the dying moments of added time when Henry Kisekka, the standout performer for the Snow Leopards, found the net with a splendidly delivered corner from Ifham Tariq Mir, leveling the score and securing a point for the Blues.
Gokulam stamps their class
Gokulam Kerala is finally back on track and asserting their authority as the two-time I-League champions with a six-match winning streak, the latest being a victory against Churchill Brothers FC. The team from Kerala clearly outclassed their opponents, dominating the match and repeatedly testing the Churchill defense throughout the first half. The Red Machines struggled to cope with Gokulam’s pressing and cohesive attacking style.
Everything went Gokulam’s way in the first half, as they breezed past Churchill with the opening goal scored by their prolific striker, Alex Sanchez, in the 9th minute of the game. The momentum continued as Abhijith Kurungodan executed a phenomenal dipping strike, leaving spectators in awe and extending the lead to 2-0 in the 19th minute.
The game progressed at a steady pace, with Churchill Brothers having a few chances but failing to capitalize on them. However, the second half told a different tale as the team from Goa exerted more effort to break through and succeeded in the 50th minute with a goal from Louis Ogana. While they managed to breach Gokulam’s defense, the day ultimately favored the Malabarians, who secured the three points at Tilak Maidan Stadium. With this victory, Gokulam now holds a dominant position in the title race, currently sitting in 3rd place on the table with 32 points, level with Sreenidhi.
Sreenidhi inches closer to Mohammedan
Sreenidhi Deccan has crawled their way back to the top of the table, advancing closer to the title with a three-way battle alongside Mohammedan and Gokulam Kerala. They handed out a defeat to Namdhari FC, who had a terrible debut I-League campaign, through a brace scored by Nigerian midfielder Rilwan Hassan. Hassan was the key for Sreenidhi, who found the net once in each half, aiding them with their 4th consecutive win in the league. The game was solely in the hands of the Deccan Warriors as they gave no chance for Namdhari to even look for a way to salvage anything from the match.
It will be a crucial game ahead for Sreenidhi against the table-toppers, Mohammedan, as they are just 2 points behind with 32 points from 15 games, whereas Mohammedan has bagged 34 points. The game will be do-or-die for both teams, which can clearly define who may edge past others to clinch the title in the end.
Shillong climbs up the table
It was a memorable day for Shillong as they stormed past last-placed TRAU FC with an astoundingly commanding victory in Imphal. Shillong consistently carved through the TRAU defense with ease, showcasing their dominance in possession and executing attacking football at its finest. Conversely, it was a forgettable day for TRAU as the scoreline could have been even more unfavorable for them if luck hadn’t been on their side. TRAU endured over 25 shots on their goal throughout the entire 90-odd minutes, underscoring Shillong’s inefficiency in front of the goal.
Interestingly, it was TRAU who opened the scoring through Ghanaian forward Issahak Nuhu Seidu, despite all the attacking prowess Shillong possessed. However, this proved to be the triggering point that stimulated Shillong players to fight back and secure the valuable three points. They netted two goals in the 59th and 72nd minutes through Allen Lyngdoh and Marcos Rudwere Genare Silva, respectively. This victory places Shillong in the 5th position in the table, just behind Real Kashmir.
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