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Real Kashmir FC beat Shillong Lajong 6-1 at the TRC Turf Ground as they went to third on the I-League table, just behind on goal difference to the second-placed Churchill Brothers.
The home team bamboozled relegation contenders Shillong Lajong in front of 12,800 spectators on a Tuesday afternoon as they put six goals past the away goalkeeper, two more than they have scored in total all season before this match.
In the 26th minute, Gnohore Krizo went on a brilliant run and unselfishly set up Abednego Tetteh who scored the first goal of the game.
Two minutes later, against the run of play, a failed clearance from Bilal Khan hit the chest of Samuel Lyngdoh Kynshi and ended up in the back of the net for an equalizer.
In the 37th minute, Mason Robertson went ahead for a corner and won his side the lead back as his header flew past Neithovilie Chalieu.
Five minutes later, Nagen Tamang doubled his side's lead to finish off an exquisite move created by Bazie Armand and Tetteh.
In the early minutes of the second half, Alyson Kharsyntiew's men conceded a silly penalty which was converted by Krizo who stepped up and made no mistake from the spot.
At the 75th minute mark, Surchandra Singh hit a rebound in the back of the net to put more misery on the Red Dragons.
With few minutes left on the clock, Tetteh scored another goal off a move created by local boy Shahnawaz Bashir.
Now, Real Kashmir FC doesn't play at home for more than a month and a half due to extreme cold weather and this was the perfect last game of the year as far as the fans are concerned.
#3 Shillong Lajong need a big No.9
The Red Dragons were dangerous on occasions in the first half but failed to capitalize on the opportunities as they were playing with the 20-year old Samuel Lalmuanpuia as the false 9 instead of a big centre-forward.
Many of the home team's chances came through their big No.9 Krizo who was overpowering the Lajong defenders and often beating them at long balls launched by the home team.
Lajong's policy of not spending big and restricting themselves to a small budget while selling their star players simultaneously have come back to bite them this season.
The team from the Northeast needs some inspiration from their forwards if they are to dodge relegation with their defense leaking umpteen goals right, left and centre.
#2 Real Kashmir FC slowly adapting to the I-League
After winning their first ever match in the I-League against defending champions Minerva Punjab, the Snow Leopards failed to score in their following three games taking just one point from it.
But, since the new signings have acclimatized to the cold weather now, they have won three on the bounce scoring nine goals in total and keeping two clean sheets as well.
Away teams are finding it tough to adapt to the Valley weather from the word go, which has further played the matches in David Robertson's hands as he uses an aggressive style of play to go along with the chilly conditions.
It will be interesting to see the tactics used now when the team goes on the road for straight 47 days.
#1 Shillong Lajong's no-foreigner policy a flop
Larsing Ming, owner of Shillong Lajong and the board mutually agreed to sign no foreigners for this season's I-League campaign.
A club which has been the breeding ground of so many top players in the past currently playing for Northeast United in the Indian Super League, the club has been struggling this season due to lack of leadership in the squad.
The team needs a big centre-forward, a commanding centre-back, a chief playmaker, none of which can be found currently in their squad. Real Kashmir's all six goals saw contribution from their foreign forwards and playmaker with Roberston commanding his defense at the back.
While this policy is promising for Indian football, Shillong Lajong, unlike Indian Arrows, does not have AIFF's backing to promote young talent and still survive in the I League top division.
The club from the Northeast needs to avoid relegation to keep their top players and even young talent at the club.
