Atharva Rewale’s late strike secures crucial point for Kenkre FC against Klasa FC

by FC September 7, 2024

In a thrilling encounter under the scorching afternoon sun, Kenkre FC secured a vital point against Group D leaders Klasa FC, thanks to a late goal from Atharva Rewale.

Klasa FC, who had been in impressive form, thrashed Bhuna FC 8-0 in their previous match, with six of those goals coming in the second half faced off against Kenkre FC, who had entered this match with momentum from their recent victory over Jaipur Elite FC.

The match kicked off with high intensity from both sides. Early pressure from Klasa FC nearly resulted in a goal when Arvind of Kenkre FC lost possession in midfield, leading to a dangerous shot on goal. Despite this early scare, Kenkre FC soon found their rhythm.

In the 9th minute, Klasa FC’s Lanngamba the man of the moment with a spectacular strike. Receiving a pass in the middle of the park, Lanngamba expertly dribbled past his marker and curled a powerful bending shot from over 20 yards out. The ball soared into the top right corner, giving Klasa FC an early lead and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Despite the early goal, Klasa FC continued to press forward aggressively and came close on two separate occasions to extending their lead.

As the game progressed, Kenkre FC began to find their rhythm and create opportunities of their own. Prem Shinde delivered a delightful lob pass to VS on the left wing. VS attempted to cross the ball into the box, but it ended up in no man’s land. Shortly after, Kenkre FC launched a swift counterattack. Om Surve drove the ball forward, exchanging quick passes with VS to carve out space. Although Om had a clear opportunity to pass to his unmarked mate Hrishikesh, he chose to take a shot from distance but failed to connect properly.

The young Kenkre FC squad struggled to cope with the pressure, frequently losing possession in midfield and allowing Klasa FC to mount quick counterattacks. However, Aryan stood resolute in goal, making several crucial saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0. On the other end, in the attack Kenkre FC often faltered as players rushed their efforts to play the final pass, leaving their offensive opportunities unfinished.

In the second half, Kenkre FC became increasingly menacing, effectively breaking through Klasa’s defensive lines with crucial passes. Skipper Arvind Rajan once again played a pivotal role in midfield,with composure and delivering threaded passes that created significant opportunities.

Just when Kenkre FC’s hopes seemed to be fading, a crucial substitution in the 79th minute proved to be a game-changer. Abdul Siddique brought Atharva Rewale on for Hrishikesh Pandey, and within just two minutes, Atharva made a significant impact. Suraj Sapke launched a long pass from his own half over the Klasa FC defense. Skipper Arvind Rajan directed the ball with his chest to Atharva on the edge of the box. Atharva then chipped the ball over the goalkeeper, leveling the score at 1-1 and reigniting Kenkre FC’s chances.

This late goal was crucial for Kenkre FC, keeping their hopes of progressing to the next round alive. As it stands, Klasa FC remains at the top of Group D with 4 points from 2 games and an impressive goal difference of +8. Kenkre FC, after this draw, sits in 2nd place with 4 points from 3 games.

Kenkre FC’s path to qualification now depends on their final match against Bhuna FC on September 9th, where a win with a significant margin is essential. Additionally, they will need to monitor the outcome of the hosts, Karbi Anglong Morning Star FC, who have played only one match but secured 3 points against Kenkre FC. Kenkre FC’s prospects remain optimistic after a critical draw against Klasa FC in today’s match.

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