I-League 2023-24: Kisekka's late strike saves Real Kashmir's day

Inter Kashi defender Peter Hartley was sent off in the 99th minute of this I-League game.

Real Kashmir FC came from behind to take home a point after eking out a 1-1 draw against Inter Kashi in a crucial I-League encounter at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium on Saturday, November 24, 2024.

Henry Kisekka scored a last-gasp equaliser to cancel out Mario Barco’s strike. Inter Kashi’s Peter Hartley was sent off in 90+9’ minute of the match.

The draw though didn’t help either side as both were desperate for a win to climb up in the I-League standings. Following Saturday’s game, Real Kashmir find themselves in the fourth spot with 27 points from 15 matches. They have eight wins, three draws and four losses. Inter Kashi, on the other hand, remain in the fifth position with 23 points from 16 matches. They have won six games and drew five matches while suffering five losses.

The defences of both teams proved to be particularly effective, maintaining tight formations and allowing very little room for the attackers to exploit. This defensive solidity contributed to the cagey nature of the match’s opening, with each team focussing on neutralising potential threats rather than creating them. The lack of space and tight marking meant that the game’s early phase saw limited clear-cut chances.

Still, Inter Kashi’s Edmund Lalrindika tried to manoeuvre the spaces and create some chances. He first set up Nikum Gyamar who failed to keep his shot on target before laying it off for Barco with a nice through pass. However, tight marking meant Barco couldn’t reach the ball. Lalrindika himself had the best chance of the match where he found himself in a one-on-one situation with Real Kashmir goalkeeper Muheet Shabir. But the keeper came off his line to deny Lalrindika.

Real Kashmir were happy to sit back and absorb the pressure in the first half. And the script didn’t change much in the second half either. Real Kashmir though created a chance when Kisseka sent a beautiful cross into the box for Jeremy Laldinpuia. However, the midfielder failed to convert the chance.

Inter Kashi could have taken the lead in the second half but Gianni Miguel Dos Santos’ free-kick hit the crosspiece. But they didn’t have to wait much longer to score the first goal of the match. Sumeet Passi floated in a cross from the left and the flighted delivery evaded Real Kashmir’s defence. Mario Barco made a rasping run at the far post to head home a fine goal in the 76th minute.

Real Kashmir, though, found the leveller in the added time of the match. Ifham Tariq Mir sent in a corner from the right and substitute Kisekka leapt over the Inter Kashi defenders to slot home a header and take home a point for his side.

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