Enrique Esqueda was adjudged the Hero of the Match, after he put the Red and Golds ahead early in the first half, before setting up his Spanish teammate Jamie Santos Colado for the second, as the Kolkata Giants ran away with a win.

This result takes QEB to 36 points from 18 games, just four behind league leaders Chennai City FC, who have played the same number of matches. As it currently stands, East Bengal need to win their remaining two matches and hope that Chennai do not pick up more than a point from their last two games.

For Chennai, however, the equation is simple. A point each from their last two games would see them lift the title at the end of the season by virtue of a better head-to-head record against the side from Kolkata.

The Red and Golds got off to a swift start, keeping large bouts of possession in the opening exchanges. Their efforts paid dividends in the 20th minute itself, when Danmawia curled in a cross at the Kashmir far post from a Lalram Chullova through ball, for Mexican forward Enrique Esqueda to nod home.

Real Kashmir could not find their footing in the game at this stage and resorted to route-one football hoping that their Scottish forward Mason Robertson would hold up the ball and distribute it to the rest.

However, they soon received a massive blow to their endeavors, when Kofi Tetteh was sent off for dissent after he was already shown a yellow card for a foul on QEB defender Johnny Acosta.

That gave QEB the momentum for the rest of the half, and they managed to double their lead minutes before the referee blew his whistle for the half-time breather.

QEB’s Spanish playmaker Jamie Santos Colado played Esqueda through inside the Kashmir area before the latter crossed it back to the Spaniard, who volleyed it home with great aplomb.

Despite being down to 10 men, Kashmir came out with a lot of initiative in the second half. However, it was East Bengal, who had the clearer chance on the hour mark, when Danmawia made a decoy run off a Colado ball, to find himself one-on-one with Real Kashmir keeper Bilal Khan. However, the Danmawia’s shot was parried away by the custodian.

Minutes later, the Snow Leopards got the perfect chance to get back in the game when QEB goalkeeper Rakshit Daggar brought Bazzie Armand down inside his own area. The referee had no choice but to point to the spot, and Aaron Katebe made no mistake as he slotted it home from the spot.

Real Kashmir gaffer David Robertson brought on striker Gnohere Krizo in the last 10 minutes, hoping to draw level with a two-pronged attack. However, QEB managed to hold on to their slender lead, bringing the Snow Leopards’ Hero I-League title hopes to an end.

Also Read: ISL title will make consistent Goa complete

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Although both the teams have recently fallen behind leaders Chennai City FC in the title race, all options are still open to both teams if they win all their last three games, and if Chennai drop points.

The match, which will be the first for this edition of the country’s top flight football league to be played in the National Capital, will kick off at 2 pm IST.

The decision to host the game in Delhi was taken at the AIFF League Committee Meeting at Football House in Delhi on Monday, February 25, after Real Kashmir informed in writing that they wanted to play their tie against East Bengal on February 28 at a neutral venue.

Both teams are coming off a draw in their respective previous games and need to up their game significantly, given the important nature of the clash.

The ‘home team’ Real Kashmir now have 33 points from 17 games and maintained their unbeaten record on the road as they stole a crucial point against Indian Arrows following the 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar three days back.

Visitors QEB are placed second from the same number of games and with the same number of points as Real Kashmir (33) but are ahead on goal difference.

David Robertson, the Real Kashmir coach, has been very effective and has strategically used his players, seeking creative solutions. Striker Krizo and the likes of Kofi Tetteh and Mason Robertson have proved effective. Robertson, who started off in deep defence, has shown a keen eye for goal and scored four goals so far.

With a different ambiance in Delhi, Kashmir might be able to affect the confidence of QEB players, compounded with the fact that they are one of the best defensive sides in the tournament.

Real Kashmir coach, David Robertson said, ” We are in a good momentum, getting the results, playing well. Both the teams want to play and win. Fantastic journey, unbeaten away from home, we are happy. No better way to keep the benchmark by playing against East Bengal, particularly at JLN Stadium.”

In the process, the two sides go back to where it all began for them in this season’s league campaign. In the first game between the two, both teams played out a draw.

On the other hand, the ‘visiting’ side under Spanish coach Alejandro Garcia has played some good percentage, professional football, with each player executing his given role to the best of his ability. The coach has displayed sound tactical knowledge and seems to be getting the best out of his squad of players.

East Bengal head coach Alejandro said, “When you play again in a short span of time less than 72 hours, it is not enough to get high quality from our players, but we are fully motivated and almost recovered from the last match and ready to play tomorrow.”

QEB have slipped in the league title race of late, following back-to-back stalemates at home, and would also miss the league’s most prolific Indian striker Jobby Justin for Thursday’s game.

Enrique Esqueda, the Mexican striker, is in good form, however, and QEB will depend a lot on him on Thursday.

The match is as good as a semi-final clash as it could decide whether Quess East Bengal will ensure title contention or Real Kashmir would once again look to topple Chennai City FC on the points table.

Also Read: ISL title will make consistent Goa complete

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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

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The contrast in fortunes of the two teams is apparent by the gulf in the points table. Kashmir are third while Aizawl are a rung above bottom in the 11-team league.

Aizawl have a new coach in Standley Rosario (he replaced Gift Raikhan who had resigned). Kashmir on the other hand haven’t had such issues as coach David Robertson looks confident about the team’s goals and objectives.

The debutantes have built their success on a sturdy defence and sound goalkeeping. They have cleverly used the available players with a few also being played out of position for the sake of the team.

The foreign recruits have also filled in the gaps.

The emphasis has been on fitness with youngsters shuffled around cleverly to get the job done.

Robertson, who put up a pragmatic front on the eve of the game said: “We come to play well in every game. As we are a new team in the league, its difficult for us to set our foot. As long as we do what we do, we shouldn’t have any issues but anything is possible here. We have started well and our aim is to stay in the league. For us, its more about enjoying the league.”

Aizawl on the other hand have been grossly inconsistent which eventually resulted in the departure of Raikhan.

Though Mapuia and David have showed promise still the foreign brigade — Kromah, Dodoz and Jaryan — has been average or below par. Team chemistry is also an issue.

Rosario will have the services of new recruit — Uganda’s Richard Kassaga in defence — their weak link (Aizawl has leaked in 18 goals so far — only second-best to Shillong).

Aizawl’s assistant coach Jonathan who attended the pregame press conference had this to say: “We will fight for three points as it is our home match and we don’t want to lose this game. Standley will arrive today and will be there for the practice. We will be planning the game strategy as it will be a challenging match for us. Real Kashmir are high on scoring and there defence and passing are strong. Our players are also motivated and we will be giving our best.”

He ruled Ivorian striker Ansumanah Kromah out with injury.

Despite their good run none of Kashmir’s players (with 15 goals among themselves) feature in the top-five of the goalscorers’ list. But then the new players scoring has definitely worked wonders!

Bazie Armand’s is a classic case: after a winner against Aizawl in the first-leg he also scored in other games.

The odds are heavily in favor of the ‘Snow Leopards’ while Aizawl have a mountain to climb.

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Bagan down Minerva to stay alive in title race

Also Read: HERO I-LEAGUE: Experience to the fore as East Bengal edge out Arrows

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