I-League: Goalless draw with Aizawl puts Real Kashmir at par with Churchill

The draw puts the Real Kashmir third on the I-League table, level on points with second-placed Churchill Brothers but behind on goal difference.

Neither sides could find the back of the net after 90 minutes.

Real Kashmir settled for a goalless draw against Aizawl FC in an I-League at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Aizawl on Friday.

The draw puts the Real Kashmir third on the I-League table, level on points with second-placed Churchill Brothers but behind on goal difference.

In a match with few chances for either side, Aizawl FC skipper Alfred Jaryan was awarded the ‘Hero of the Match’ for his combative performance in the middle of the park. Aizawl, under its new coach, came out with a more positive approach as defender Kareem pushed up the field to pair with skipper Jaryan and local boy Paul Ramfangzaua.

Though Aizawl controlled the match, its attacking moves were toothless as Remsanga found no space against the giant defenders of Real Kashmir. Aizawl had the first real chance of the match as Aaron Katebe’s misguided header fell in the path of Remsanga who was striding towards goal. But the Mizo striker's shot flew above the crossbar.

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Real Kashmir found it hard to create goal-scoring chances in the absence of star striker Gnohere Krizo. his replacement Kofi Tetteh had a hard time against the Aizawl defence marshalled by Richard Kassaga. Tetteh had the best chance of the half to put the Snow Leopards in front, but the striker missed his target after rounding goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh.

The second half started much brighter for Kashmir. Tetteh dummied the ball for Suchandra whose shot from the edge of the box was blocked by Kassaga.

Aizawl sat deep as Robertson’s side attacked. Kashmiri playmaker Danish Farooq’s curling effort from inside the box was acrobatically saved by Gurpreet much to the delight of the home fans who thanked the Punjabi goalkeeper with a loud roar.

Aizawl attacked in the dying minutes of the game in an attempt o collect full three points, but could not split the Kashmiri defence and both sides shared the spoils.