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Real Kashmir and Churchill Brothers, the 2nd and 3rd placed team in the I-League, played out a drab draw at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco. The match ended 1-1.
Real Kashmir, who came from freezing cold in Srinagar to a humid condition in Goa, had a to overcome the weather difference along with their opponents on the field. Going by their performance, they somehow did that but the extra energy was clearly missing from their side.
Churchill, who could’ve climbed up on top of the table with a win, missed several chances throughout the match. Table toppers Chennai City and fourth-placed East Bengal probably will be in an advantageous position, keeping in mind the result of this match.
After an uneventful first half, Real Kashmir got the lead against the run of the play in the 54th minutes. Farhan Ganie’s shot from distance was blocked by a Churchill defender. Ghanie got the ball again and scored with a low drive in his second attempt.
Willis Plaza equalised in the 69th minute when he chested down a long cross and unleashed a left-footed shot, which comfortably beat Bilal Khan. This was probably the only time when Real Kashmir defence got wrong-footed.
Both the teams maintained their position with 29 points, keeping Churchill ahead of their rivals in second due to superior goal difference.
Let us look at the reason why the game ended in a draw.
#3 Both teams played with cautious approach
Real Kashmir and Churchill Brothers FC, separated by goal difference in the league table, had only one aim coming to the match, try not to lose the game at any cost. In the end, they managed to stick to their gameplan as both teams shared points, keeping them in the race for I-League title.
Kashmir, who crossed over 3000 kms to come to Vasco from Srinagara, had witnessed a major change in the weather. From -4 degree Celsius to 31 degree Celsius, it was never easy for them to negotiate.
With little time, all they had tried for to aim for a point in uncharacteristic conditions. Considering the humid condition, they played well and managed to get the lead early in the second half, but couldn’t hold it till the end.
Churchill, in turn, are familiar with the conditions. Against a weak team who were missing two attackers, the two-time I-League champions should have gone for the kill. They dominated in the second half and had chances not been missed, they could end up winning the game.
But yet, they never looked like a side that had come to gain three points. Plaza did his job but others should have taken the same responsibility.
#2 Churchill attackers holed out by tight Kashmir defence
It’s not easy to keep players quiet throughout 90 minutes who has 15 goals in his kitty. However, though Willis Plaza has managed one more against Real Kashmir, but credit should be given to their defenders for keeping him quiet for a major part of the game.
Real Kashmir have conceded the least number of goals among all the teams. They have maintained eight clean sheets coming into this match. It was expected Plaza and Anthony Wolfe would not get a walk in the park.
That is what happened on the field. Loveday Okechukwu, Aaron Katebe and Dharmaraj Ravanan did a splendid job on the field. While Loveday and Katebe was enough to keep Plaza and Wolfe away for some time, Ravanan managed to foil the threat of winger Dawda Ceesay.
Churchill should’ve shown more urgency into the game. They should have exploited the midfield more and create chances with counter attacks.
#1 Krizo, Tetteh’s absence hurt the Snow Leopards
It’s never easy coming to a crucial match when both of your attackers are suspended. But that was the task to cut for Real Kashmir coach David Robertson before Churchill Brothers clash. Both Gnohere Krizo and Abednego Koffi Tetteh was suspended for the match.
He did what he has done before. He played his son, Mason Robertson, naturally a central defender, as an attacker. We must not forget what Robertson did when he last played as an attacker against Mohun Bagan.
Not only he scored two goals, but also earned a reputation of bulldozing opponent defenders using his skills. Mason later said he has played in the position in his childhood. But you don’t expect magic every time in football.
So, against an experienced defensive line-up of Churchill, Mason couldn’t do much. He doesn’t possess the skill of a striker, can’t hold the ball for some time and inflict danger on the opponent.
Still, he could’ve scored a goal in the 82nd minute. From a throw-in, he got the ball on the right flank, cut inside and unleashed a shot from his foot, which just missed the target.
But overall, the danger Krizo or Tetteh could’ve done was missing in Kashmir’s action.
