I-League 2nd Division: Real Kashmir and Fateh Hyderabad clinch hard-fought wins
2nd Division sides clinched crucial three points on Saturday over ISL Reserve Sides in the I-League 2nd Division.
Sportskeeda takes a look on how both the matches panned out today.
Match 1 : Real Kashmir 2-0 Delhi Dynamos Reserves
Real Kashmir XI : Kamlesh, Khalid, Muhammad, Hammad, Loveday Okechukwu (C), Shahnawaz Bashir. Nadong Bhutia. Ifham Tariq Mir, Nachiket Palav, Sukhwinder Singh (GK), Ritwik Das, Danish Farooq
Delhi Dynamos Reserves XI : Shayan Roy (GK), Simranjeet Singh (C), Kishan Singh Thongjam, Amit Tudu, Krishan Kumar, Nijwm Muchahary, Happy Singh, Aaron Rodrigues, Seiminmang Manchong, Pradyuman, Nonganba Singh Akoijam
After a disappointing draw with FC Pune City reserves, Real Kashmir returned to winning ways as they defeated Delhi Dynamos 2-0 at the TRC Turf Ground in Srinagar on Saturday.
Ifham Tariq Mir opened the scoring in the 36th minute to put the Kashmir side into the lead. Dynamos midfield had a tough time dealing with Real Kashmir strikers and gave away possession cheaply on several occasions.
Real Kashmir was dominant throughout the first half and went into the break with a well earned slender 1-0 lead.
Dynamos looked better in the second half but struggled to get going in the cold conditions. Real Kashmir put the game to bed at the 88th minute as Kouassi Yao slotted home Kashmir's second and wrapped up the game.
Real Kashmir next plays Lonestar Kashmir in the Kashmir Derby on 28th of March in the same venue while Delhi Dynamos Reserves will face City Rivals Hindustan FC on 29th of March in the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi
Match 2 : Fateh Hyderabad 3-2 FC Goa Reserves
Fateh Hyderabad XI : Gurpreet Singh (GK), Nabin Rabha, Edmond Peprah, Imran Khan, Don Tshering Lepcha (C), Sushil Meitei, Lalliansanga, Mobin Rai, Maan Dilip Singh, Ponif Vaz, Godwin Quashinga
FC Goa Reserves XI : Mohammed Nawaz (GK), Meldon Silva, Lalnuansiama, Mohammed Yasir, Hayden Fernandes, Aaren D Silva, Liston Colaco (C), Princeton Rebello, Franzil Negredo, Kingslee Fernandes, Saviour Gama
After FC Goa's big win in the opening day against Madhya Bharat SC, the Junior Gaurs have lost their momentum with a draw and now, a loss to Fateh Hyderabad on Saturday in Anantapur RDT Stadium.
Fateh Hyderabad drew first blood through Godwin Quashinga at the 33rd-minute mark. Veteran Sushil Meitei doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a calm, composed finish.
The teams went into the break with the scoreboard flashing 2-0 in favour of the hosts.
Just as it looked, Fateh Hyderabad would run away with the game, FC Goa Reserves struck twice in eight minutes later in the second half through Liston Colaco and Aaren D Silva in the 68th and 76th minute respectively.
The game was evenly poised in the final third and was set for an exciting finish. Don Tshering Lepcha of Fateh Hyderabad stepped up and scored the winner late into additional time to win the game for the hosts 3-2.
FC Goa Reserves need to pull up their socks after two bad results, while Fateh Hyderabad would look to carry on the momentum after their first win of the season today.
Fateh Hyderabad will next face Ozone FC Bengaluru at the same venue on April 5 while FC Goa Reserves will host FC Kerala on March 31 in Bambolim Stadium.