I-League: Real Kashmir downs an under-strength Chennai City FC

Chennai City, missing four of its players including first-choice goalkeeper Kabir Toufik, suffered a 2-0 loss to Real Kashmir FC.

Published : Jan 15, 2021 19:42 IST

Dipanda Dicka and Lalrindika Ralte scored for Real Kashmir FC.

Real Kashmir FC took advantage of an under-strength Chennai City – without four of its players, including first-choice goalkeeper Kabir Toufik, – to score once in each half to secure a 2-0 win against the 2018-19 I-League champion in a match at the Mohun Bagan Ground on Friday.

Toufik and Vijay Thomas tested positive in a RT-PCR test conducted by the AIFF medical team on Tuesday. The two players and their roommates – Vijay Nagappan and Uma Shankar – were quarantined as per pre-agreed protocol. However, all four tested negative when the club opted for re-testing through a reputed private lab in the city on Wednesday. The players, though, were not allowed to take part in the game after the AIFF turned down Chennai City’s appeal to allow their participation following the latest results.

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Real Kashmir FC started confidently and took the lead in the 16th minute when Aser Dipanda Dicka found the target. The Cameroonian forward made the most of an assist from strike partner Lukman Adefemi, who did the hard work in the Chennai City box before setting up the former with the opportunity. Dicka was instrumental in setting up the second goal in the 83rd minute as he played in a nice cross for substitute Lalrindika Ralte, who put the ball in the net.

The result: Real Kashmir FC 2 (Aser Dipanda Dicka 16, Lalrindika Ralte 83) bt Chennai City FC 0.