Mohammedan Sporting stood a victory away from winning the I-League after settling for a 1-1 draw against Inter Kashi in Naihati on Saturday. (More Football News)
The point means they still need thr✨ee more points from their remaining three fixtures to win the title.
On the other hand, if Sreenidi Deccan lose༺s their fixture against Rajasthan United on Sunday, it would give the Kolkata club their maiden I-League crown.
Equipped with the knowledge that they needed just four points to wrap up the title and with its promotion, Mohammedan started the game in a frenzy.
Within the first 10 minutes, they had the lead as Alexis Gomez (8') interchanged quick passes with Eddie Hernandez before shooting low and hard from distance to beat Arindam Bh💦attacharya in the Inter Kas🎐hi goal.
Inter Kashi were hard to put away though and constantly forced Padam Chettri into action to keep their efforts at bay. Despite all of Mohammedan's bravado, the game was firmly being played on Inter Kashi🌞's terms. The Black and White Brigade held on to take the lead at the break.
Inter Kashi sparked to life in the second half of the game, chance afte🔯🎐r chance being created and squandered away.
Capitalising on a defensive error, Nikum Gyamar played ꦐthroug🤡h Tomba Singh just outside the box. The midfielder's low drive bounced off the post.
Gyamar and Mario Barꩵco, in particular, looked constantly on the verge of conjuring something special, only for the ball to be pushed aw𓄧ay — once by Mohammedan captain Zodingliana on the goalline and once by Chettris's full-body save.
ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚThe equaliser did arrive in due course though, in the 83rd minute, via Barco's header from a Jordan Lamela cross on the left.
Real Kashmir Thrash Neroca
In Srinagar, Real Kashmi🌜r FC dished out a fine performance to outclass NEROCA FC 3-0 in the I-League here on Saturday, the result relegating the Manipur outfit to the second division following ꦺa poor season.
Goals fro🎃m Real Kashmir's Gnohere Krizo (35'), Hyder Yousuf (45') and Shaher Shaheen (67') sealed the fate of NEROCA FC in tಌhe league.
This loss leꦍft the Or🃏ange Brigade in 12th place, with a total of 13 points from 21 matches. Their record of four wins, one draw, and 16 losses reflects the challenges they faced throughout the season.
With only three matches left to play, NEROCA find themselves in an insurmoun♐table position, and even if they were to win all their remaining fixtures, they would fall short of overtaking Churchill Brothers, as Namdhari are exempt from relegation this season.
The other team to have been relegated is their c▨ity rivals TRAU FC.
Real Kashmir, on the oꩵther hand, finally ꦛnotched up a win after playing out consecutive draws in their last four matches. They also extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches.
The last time the Snow Le💎opards had lost a match in the league was against Rajasthan United FC back on February 9.
The win took them to the second spot in the standings even though they were out of the title race. They now have 40 points from 22 matches with 1🅘1 wins, seven draws and four losses.
