I-League: Sreenidi Deccan register comeback, NEROCA beat Mohammedan

Sreenidi Deccan come from behind to share spoils with Real Kashmir

Sreenidi Deccan erased a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw against Real Kashmir in the I-League 2022-23 match at the Deccan Arena on Sunday, March 5, 2023.

The Snow Leopards, on Sunday, saw their two-goal lead slip away within seven minutes, with the equaliser coming in injury time. Samuel Kynshi continued his impressive form by scoring his fifth goal in five matches to give Real Kashmir the lead. Late in the second half, Ernest Boateng doubled the advantage for the visitors before Sreenidi Deccan’s Soraisham Dinesh Singh and Rosenberg Gabriel scored within a span of seven minutes to take home a point.

In the 19th minute, Real Kashmir’s captain Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung passed the ball to Samuel Kynshi inside the box, and with ample space, the midfielder calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner, giving the visitors the lead.

In the second half, with just seven minutes left in regulation time, Real Kashmir doubled their advantage. Kynshi whipped in a cross from the left for substitute Girik Mahesh Khosla, who sent a header towards the goal. Although Aryan Lamba saved it, the rebound fell kindly for another substitute, Ernest Boateng, who slotted the ball past the Sreenidi goalkeeper.

A minute later, Soraisham Dinesh Singh caught goalkeeper Prateek Singh off his line and scored from around 40 yards to pull one back for the home side. In injury time, Gabriel scored the equaliser. A cross from the right wing by substitute Ramhlunchhunga found Gabriel in the middle of the box, and this time the forward made no mistake, sending his shot into the back of the goal.

As a result, Sreenidi Deccan remained in second spot with 42 points from 21 games. Real Kashmir moved one place up to fifth with 31 points. Both teams will feature in the qualifying round of the Super Cup which is set to begin in Kerala next month.

Mohammedan SC succumb to NEROCA FC

NEROCA FC defeated Mohammedan Sporting 2-0 here at Khuman Lampak Stadium on Sunday, March 5, 2023, to rise to the eighth position on the I-League table. The Kolkata side dropped to 10th position. As things stand today, Aizawl FC, NEROCA and Rajasthan United are all on 25 points. Their last matches would be crucial to determine when and where these four teams play in the Super Cup qualifiers.

Local fans were happy to see the way the home side played this evening as they were far better than the scoreboard suggests. Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Zothanmawia saved at least three goals. Otherwise the scoreline would have been an embarrassing one for Mehrjuddin Wadoo’s men. The two goals scored were pieces of individual brilliance where Zothanmawia could not have done much.

The first one came in the 10th minute. Ghanaian forward Michael Kporvi had a clear look at the goal and unleashed a right-footer from around 30 yards out. It was so powerful and high that Zothanmawia, not the tallest of goalies, could only get a hand to it. It was not enough to tip the ball over the bar.

Mohammedan Sporting looked listless in the entire match and their only real chance came in the 17th minute when Marcus Joseph’s right-footer hit the crossbar.

NEROCA’s three points were sealed in the second half by Man of the Match Sweden Fernandes, who has come up with some great performances this I-League season. However, assistant coach Gyan Moyon did not give him a start today. The Goan came on as a substitute in the 64th minute and made it 2-0 just a couple of minutes later.

It was a free-kick from the left, a long way off the goal. But Sweden went for the goal himself and was able to swing it a long way, in through the first post at the top corner. Slight deflection from the wall did help. Zothanmawia could not even move.