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.

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Asadul Khan, Bishoo Thapa, Michael Idewele and Sumedh K. — the fab four — were the architects for the resounding victory. Khan scored in the 16th and 64th minutes respectively to cap off a brilliant individual performance.

He tormented Warriors throughout and was a thorn in their flesh! Sumedh’s workman-like effort was worth it’s weight in gold. The margin of victory could have been much more if it wasn’t for some dogged defending from Warriors.

As the first half finished 1-0 to Payyade they switched gears in the second and found the net thrice. Thapa and Idewele scored in the 57th and 74th minutes to add to Khan’s goal and complete a resounding win. Khan’s goal celebration — a spectacular back flip — was a treat to watch!

Warriors was no match for the table toppers who attacked relentlessly and carved them open on umpteen occasions.

Payyade has fired a warning shot to their potential opponents in the playoffs!

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The game had started off at a slow pace as both teams played cautiously.

Gaikwad could have opened the scoring in the 11th minute only to shoot wide to the right.

Both teams had a flurry of chances as fans witnessed end-to-end action.

Faizan Shaikh and Saumil Damor missed two gilt-edged chances for Wellington in the 18th and 23rd minutes respectively. That could have put them in the driver’s seat!

Gaikwad cleverly broke past the off-side trap in the 27th minute and made it 1-0 for Veniza. He was outstanding on the right flank as he gave Wellington the run-about.

Nikhil Raikar was the best player for Wellington as he made a clutch of fantastic saves throughout the game.

Wellington made it 1-1 with a penalty in the 39th minute. Lakhan Lokhande sent the goalkeeper the wrong way as he slotted home to the right. An evenly contested first half finished at 1-1.

Raikar dived at the goal-line and denied Rohan Dalvi a sure shot goal in the 47th minute!

Veniza made it 2-1 as Fernandes hit home from long range in the 52nd minute.

He was Veniza’s best player and engine up front.

Rishar Kotian missed a chance to equalize for Wellington as he shot straight to the goalkeeper.

A well-deserved win for Veniza!

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Nico and Manish Shetty scored twice and Michael Idewele and Asadul Khan found the net in the 6-1 rout. Rohan D’Cunha’s 40th-minute goal was the sole positive for ICL ‘A’. Payyade dominated from start to finish in what was effectively a one-sided contest.

Idewele was the lynchpin in attack as he tormented ICL ‘A’ with his pace and vision. Nico and Idewele combined to form a lethal partnership as they created numerous goalscoring chances. Payyade drew first blood as Shetty’s deflected shot went in in the 21st minute.

The ICL ‘A’ defence creaked at the seams! D’Cunha took advantage of a goalkeeping error and equalized. Nico scored in the 47th minute and restored Payyade’s lead to burst the bubble of optimism. The first half was 2-1 to Payyade.

Payyade unleashed a goal blitz as Idewele and Nico scored in the 50th and 52 minutes respectively. As Shetty made it 5-1 in the 66th minute…Payyade had bulldozed through the opposition!

Bishow Thapa impressed with quicksilver dribbling and was a joy to watch. As the Payyade goalkeeper cleared Kunal Mane’s lob off the line…ICL ‘A’ knew it just wasn’t their day!

Asadul Khan slammed home a goal in the 89th minute to put the icing on the cake!

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Mohan Dass and Pranav Pillai scored in the 3rd and 61st minutes respectively as Agnel edged out stubborn opposition. Moheeb Sayed’s 59th-minute goal was scant consolation for ESIC who had matched their opponents in every department.

ESIC was on the backfoot as Agnel created numerous chances in the first half. Dass was in ominous form as his freekick came off the post. His goal had thrown a spanner into ESIC’s gameplan. Abhinav Vatollil beat hordes of defenders and was a joy to watch.

Shajiv Thajudeen broke up umpteen attacks and frustrated Agnel’s attackers. Sayed almost made it 1-1 as he smashed a rebound shot onto the post.

Malcom Blakely’s long-range passing and ball-distribution skills was an education for any aspiring footballer.

The first half went 1-0 to Agnel who was rock-solid at the back. ESIC was more enterprising in the second half as they went on the offensive. It paid off as Sayed’s burst of speed left his marker for dead as he hit home the equalizer.

Agnel scored a second as a cross deflected off Pillai’s back and went in. Blakely almost scored a wonder goal with a ripper from 30 yards out!

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The game was arguably the best in recent memory as it went down to the wire!

Chiwal skipped past two defenders and smashed in an 89th minute winner!

Skorost had run riot in the first half as Shubham Verma clattered the post with a rasping shot.

Veniza goalkeeper Shakil Mallick made a string of brilliant saves to keep Skorost at bay.

Pawan Pattem was all heart for Skorost as he went in for each and every tackle.

Jimmy Abraham was Veniza’s rock in defence thanks to his brilliant positional sense and man-marking.

Mallick and Abraham’s efforts allowed Veniza to keep a clean sheet in the first half.

The second half was even better as both teams attacked with ferocious intensity.

Both teams played as if their lives were at stake!

Pattem executed a spectacular bicycle kick inside the box only to not connect with the ball!

Mallick pulled off a blinder of a save as he tipped Avinash Chaunasia’s powerful shot over the bar.

Chiwal scored the all-important goal after racing into the Skorost box like a greyhound!

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Kashif Jamal’s heroics in the second half helped Central Railway rescue a point.

Prathamesh Rokde had given RBI the lead in the 27th minute after he capitalized on a goalkeeping error.

The Railwaymen did come close to getting an equalizer as they troubled RBI with intelligent switching of the flanks.

Both teams played an entertaining brand of football to put up a good advertisement for the sport.

Hafiz Khan and Abu Jafar were a handful for RBI as the duo came close to scoring on numerous occasions.

RBI goalkeeper Bhushan Patil pulled off a brilliant save to deny Siddhart Kamat in a one on one attempt.

The first half finished 1-0 to RBI.

Rolfred Coutinho made it 2-0 in the 49th minute with a fine goal from outside the box.

A superb performance from the laddie!

RBI was more sprightly in the second half as they relied on counterattacks.

Jamal spoiled RBI’s party as he scored twice to make it 2-2.

The first was a composed effort from the spot in the 69th minute; the second was a smash and grab in the 84th minute.

Central Railway had thrown the kitchen sink…and it worked!

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Intelenet controlled the game right from the start as they corked open R.S.F’s defence with consummate ease.

Pereira stole the show as he harried the opposition with his searing pace and lethal finishing.

He was a thorn in R.S.F’s flesh as he troubled them on the left flank with regularity.

Tackles and interceptions flew freely in the first-half with Intelenet being the more enterprising team.

Pereira and Abhir Kadrekar scored in the 8th and 18th minutes respectively to put Intelenet in a commanding position. Mihir Tambe pulled a goal back for R.S.F in the 27th minute.

The first-half finished 2-1 to Intelenet with R.S.F mostly playing catch-up.

Devi Prasad’s lob in the 55th minute made it 3-1 to Intelenet.

Pereira’s goal in the 70th minute made it 4-1. It was the icing on the cake!

Apart from Tambe’s goal, there was little or less to talk about for R.S.F.

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Royston Veigas and Gaurav Nagarkatti scored in either half for Atlanta.

A closely contested first half had lots of chances on either end as both teams pumped in long balls.

Viegas scored in the 9th minute to throw a spanner in Sunday Boys’ works. Atlanta held on to possession and shut off the opposition. Sunday Boys threw men forward in the second half only to shoot blanks.

Vinod Nishad and Nazim Mohammed were the positives for Sunday Boys who just couldn’t break past a superior defence. Judon D’Souza’s missed opportunity highlighted their attacking woes.

Nagarkatti’s clinical strike in the 75th minute finished off the game and put an end to Sunday Boys’ misery.

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Agnel ran out as 5-4 winners in what was a humdinger.

Aman Sayed and Nakul Shelke scored two late goals in injury time to clinch a stunning victory for Agnel!

Shreyas Vatekar opened the scoring for Agnel with the easiest of goals in the 11th minute.

Mumbai Port responded with Atif Ansari who made it 1-1 in the 19th minute.

It rained goals as Muttvallz made it 2-1 in the 22nd minute.

Umer Shaikh and Shubham Kamteke scored in the 25th and 29th minutes respectively to make it 3-2 for Mumbai Port.

Muttvallz made it 3-3 in the 32nd minute — the fourth goal in ten minutes!

It was football at it’s very best!

Mumbai Port threatened to kill the game off as they launched wave after wave of attacks in the Agnel box.

Ansari smashed home a superb goal in the 69th minute to leave them on the brink of a memorable win.

It wasn’t to be as Agnel pulled out a rabbit from its hat in injury time.

Sayed popped out of nowhere and slammed in a goal in the 93rd minute to make it 4-4.

Shelke hit home the winner for Agnel in the 95th minute to complete a stunning comeback!

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