In the Indian Premier League, Mohammedan Sporting 10 man team defeated by Real Kashmir defeated by 3-0 thanks to a commanding performance at the exciting Naihati Bankimanjali Stadium in West Bengal. The game, which took place on Sunday, February 4, demonstrated Real Kashmir’s skill as they pulled off an incredible comeback in the second half following a goalless first half. Kashmir showed their offensive strength with a brace from Gnohere Krizo and an early goal from Shaher Shaheen, while Mohammedan Sporting suffered setbacks, including the dismissal of Joseph Adjei. Let’s examine this captivating fixture in more detail.
Table of Contents
Setting the Stage:
It’s important to discuss the background of the match before getting into the exciting fight. After a month-long break, Real Kashmir and Mohammedan Sporting squared off in the I-League. Their last meeting took place on December 24, 2023. With great expectations going into the match, both sides wanted to gain important points to improve their positions in the league table.
First Half: A Tense Stalemate
During the first few exchanges of the match, neither team really threatened the other or created any obvious opportunities. Real Kashmir’s strong defense repelled Mohammedan’s attempts to show their superiority. Most notably, Samuel Lalmuanpuia wasted a good opportunity for Mohammedan by not seizing the moment. David Lalhlansanga’s narrowly missed effort was one example of Mohammedan’s struggles to finish clinically despite their increasing threat.
Real Kashmir’s Resilience:
Throughout the first half, Kashmir showed tenacity in the face of Mohammedan Sporting’s pressure. Even though they were under attack from their rivals, the Snow Leopards remained calm and unwavering in their defense. Their methodical approach set the stage for an incredible comeback in the second half.
Second Half: Kashmir’s Dominance Unleashed
The game took a sharp turn for the worse in the second half as Kashmir took command of it. The pivotal moment came from a masterfully executed set-piece in the 55th minute. Real Kashmir took the lead after Carlos Alberto Silva Lomba’s accurate cross found Shaher Shaheen, whose accurate header overcame the Mohammedan Sporting defenders.
Kashmir continued to gain ground, and in the 65th minute they took advantage of another set-piece opportunity. Lomba was crucial once more, this time kicking in a corner that Gnohere Krizo met. Kashmir’s lead was further increased by Krizo’s deft finish and a deflection, which left Mohammedan reeling.
Mohammedan Sporting’s Setback:
After receiving his second booking, Joseph Adjei was given the order to march, which caused Mohammedan to react angrily. Mohammedan was down to a smaller squad after Adjei was dismissed, which made it more difficult for them to mount a comeback.
Kashmir’s Clinical Finish:
In the final moments of the game, Real Kashmir took advantage of Mohammedan’s 10-man lineup and won the game. After Mirjalol Kasimov fouled Muhammad Inam, Kashmir was awarded a penalty. With a confident finish, Gnohere Krizo scored his seventh goal of the competition to cap off Kashmir’s convincing 3-0 victory.
Conclusion:
The I-League match between Real Kashmir and Mohammedan demonstrated the team’s tenacity, tactical skill, and clinical finishing. Kashmir proved they were a legitimate contender for the league by withstanding Mohammedan’s attacks in the first half and putting on a commanding performance in the second. Kashmir moved up to the second position in the league table with this spectacular win, indicating their intention to contend for the championship. Kashmir’s outstanding performance against Mohammedan during the I-League season is a testament to their abilities and paves the way for an exciting campaign going forward.
Mohammedan Starting XI
Padam (GK), Kasimov, Angou, Adinga (C), M Irshad, David Hmar, Samuel, J Adjei, Remsanga, Zuidika, E Kozlov
Real Kashmir Starting XI
Muheet (GK), M Hammad (C), Hyder, M Inam, Krizo, Asrar Rahbar, Shaheen, Issah, Carlos Lomba, Adnan, Vaz