HERO I-LEAGUE: Real Kashmir maintain unbeaten streak against Arrows

by FC Admin February 25, 2019

Bhubaneswar, 24 February 2019: Real Kashmir FC maintained their unbeaten record on the road as they stole a crucial point against Indian Arrows following a 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.

After 75 minutes of goalless action, the match sprung into life. The game had four goals in the final 15 minutes of regulation time. Amarjit Singh (78′) found the target from the penalty spot before Kofi Tetteh (82′) restored parity from a well-taken corner by Vicky Meitei. Mason Robertson (90′) took the lead once again only to lose it within 60 seconds when Rahul KP headed an Anwar Ali corner home.

Following the result, Real Kashmir FC took the second spot on the table with 33 points from 17 matches whereas Indian Arrows reclaim seventh with 18 points from 19 matches.

Floyd Pinto made as many as seven changes from the last match against Gokulam Kerala FC handing Boris, Narender, Suresh, Ninthoi, Akash and Rohit Danu starts in the first XI. Moreover, he opted to bring Lovepreet Singh replacing Prabhsukhan Gill under the woodwork.

On the other hand, Real Kashmir FC coach David Robertson fielded the same starting eleven.

The yellow outfit could have taken an early lead in the 19th minute through Danish Farooq but the 22-year-old attacker hit it over the crossbar.

Four minutes later, the visitors came close to opening the scoreline from Surchandra’s corner. The corner landed deep in the penalty box and was laid off to Bazie whose feeble touch was cleared off by Lovepreet.

Center back Mason, who was deployed a bit up the field by the gaffer to breach the Arrows defence, outran Sanjiv on the left flank only to see his shot hit the side-netting.

After the half-hour mark, Arrows showed urgency but their youngsters didn’t possess the killer instinct.

Rohit Danu’s toe-poke sailed over the woodwork in the 39th minute. Two minutes later, Amarjit put in a superb to Danu who miscued the opportunity.

Amarjit dictated the midfield and rolled a dangerous pass to Boris inside the Kashmir penalty box only for goalkeeper Bilal Khan to jump and avert the danger.

Arrows could have had a spectacular goal when Ninthoi hoodwinked Mason and rushed into the 18-yard-box only to squandered the opportunity.

Rahim Ali won a penalty in the 75th minute when his powerful effort from outside the box hit Ravanan’s hand. The referee didn’t hesitate to award a spot-kick.

Amarjit slotted it calmly past  Khan to send the Arrows dugout into delirium.

The Srinagar-based outfit changed gears and got the elusive goal in the 82nd minute. Vicky Meitei’s corner dipped near goal and Abednedo Tetteh, who had replaced Krizo, jumped high to find the back of the net.

Robertson instilled more players inside the opposition box to net the winner and it was his son, Mason, who stunned Arrows minutes later. Vicky Meitei, the creator of the first goal, floated a long ball from the wing to Katebe. Robertson volleyed it home post a mistimed clearance by the defender to give his team the lead.

The joy was cut short as super-sub Rahul KP scored from a copybook header from Anwar Ali’s well-taken free-kick in the first minute of added time. It ensured that they were leaving with a valuable point from their final home fixture.

Real Kashmir FC will next face Quess East Bengal in a home game whereas Indian Arrows will clash with the Mariners on Thursday.

Also Read: Changte, Romeo, Daniel on mark as Delhi end Pune’s 6 game unbeaten run

Also Read: AIFF reacts post Minerva’s no-show against Kashmir