Debutants Real Kashmir FC produced another scintillating display of football as they beat table toppers Chennai City FC 1-0 in the match of the I-League at TRC Turf Ground here on Monday.
A solitary goal from Gnohere Krizo in the 81st minute of game was enough for Real Kashmir FC to seal the three points and to extend its unbeaten run to 10 matches.
With this home win, Real Kashmir FC have opened up the title race. Chennai City FC who sometime back were looking all dominant racing towards title now have suffered two back to back defeats against Real Kashmir FC and that has brought second placed Churchill Brothers and Real Kashmir FC back in title hunt.
Real Kashmir FC is the only team in league that has beaten Chennai City FC and now they have done it twice. After this defeat Chennai City FC is still leading the points table with 30 points from 14 matches while as Churchill Brothers and Real Kashmir have 28 points each after same number of matches played. However, on goal difference Churchill stand at second place and Real at third place.
It was another shock defeat for the star studded Chennai side at the hands of the Real Kashmir who were playing back on their home turf after being on away journey for around 45 days.
The match started with Real Kashmir FC making couple of changes to the side that had beaten Shillong Lajong 1-0 win. Farhan Ganie and Danish Farooq were handed a start. For Chennai, Roberto Eslava was back in defence while as midfielder Raja Pandi Soundrapandian was given a debut.
Krizo headed home a cross floated in by Danish Farooq from the right flank. The whole stadium went into jubilation creating a huge buzz. Real Kashmir could have earned a one more goal, if Bazie wouldn’t have missed.
Real Kashmir will now travel to Goa to take on Churchill Brothers whereas Chennai City will will next face Indian Arrows on February 8.