I-League 2018-19, Real Kashmir FC 0-2 NEROCA FC: 5 talking points

Real Kashmir FC, the debutant in this season’s I-League, tasted their first defeat of the tournament. They went down to NEROCA FC by a scoreline of 0-2 in their second home match at TRC Ground in Srinagar on Sunday.

After their win in the opening match against Minerva Punjab and draw against Churchill Brothers, Kashmir was looking for a first home win to give the supporters a chance of celebration.

Despite playing better for most of the game, the Snow Leopards had to endure a loss due to their own mistakes.

Winless NEROCA FC were playing their fourth match. They lost at home to East Bengal before two back to back draws against Gokulam Kerala FC and neighbours Aizawl FC. Finally, against Real Kashmir FC, they claimed their first three points of the season.

Kashmir coach David Robertson names an unchanged line-up for the third successive match of this season. But NEROCA FC coach Manuel Retamero opted for a couple of changes. Abdul Salam and Biaklian Paite made way for Naorem Singh and Sushil Meitei.

The match was an exciting affair as both the team had their chances, but it was NEROCA FC who made it count twice, thanks to the heroics of Felix Chidi.

Gnohere Krizo, who scored the only goal in Kashmir’s campaign so far, was not in his usual for today as he missed a few chances which could’ve changed the complexion of the match.

Let us look at the five points of the match:

#5 The outfield is a problem for visiting teams

The TRC Ground in Srinagar in by far the best ground available to Kashmir. They have made more beautification of the ground by installing more seats so that more people can watch them play. The snow-clad mountain behind the ground was also eye-catching.

But there remains a concern with the piece. TRC ground has an astroturf and due to the extreme weather, the grass went missing for most areas of the pitch.

This created problem for the visitors as few of their players couldn’t cope with the pitch and slipped too often. Also, the ball was not moving normally as it is used to.

The home team has been used to playing in this ground. So they are already adapted with it, but NEROCA FC players had to endure tough time in getting used to. They played more aerial balls rather than their usual passing football.

But credit should be given to the energetic crowds who filled the stands. The incessant noise of drums and chants of “Jeetega bhai jeetega, Real Kashmir jeetega’ reverberated in the air and made the occasion more joyful.

#4 Missed chances cost Kashmir heavily

Looking for an early goal, Kashmir started attacking right from the outset. Gnohere Krizo was operating as a lone striker with Danish Farooq, Aaron Katebe and Bazie Armand behind him.

They had as many as five chances in the opening 20 minutes. Danish Farooq took a beautiful shot from the right side and NEROCA FC goalkeeper Mauro Boerchio had to throw himself in the air to keep the ball out of danger. Krizo got two chances in the next seven minutes and wasted both of them.

Mason Robertson could’ve scored the first goal of the match as his header from a corner ricocheted off the post. The ball fell to Krizo but he was not in the right position to utilise it.

Kashmir continued their domination in the first half but NEROCA FC scored completely against the run of the play.

But Kashmir didn’t lose their focus and were looking for an equaliser. They got more chances but couldn’t capitalise any of them.

They had 10 shots in the match of which five of them were on target, more than NEROCA FC. But not a single of them found the back of the net.

The lack of potential strikers would definitely be a concern for Kashmir’s coach as they are going to face tough teams in the future.

#3 Solid defensive display from NEROCA FC

NEROCA FC have already earned praise for their defensive solidity. They may not score a goal, but they won’t let you score either.

Apart from the one-off match against East Bengal, NEROCA FC defenders showed they can consume pressure easily.

The north-eastern outfit were without their star defender Eduardo Ferreira who is out due to injury.

In his absence, Varney Kallon had to take more responsibility. He did it quite superbly. But young players like Ashok Singh, Sebastian Thangmuansang and Naorem Singh also delivered their job.

Kallon kept Krizo under check throughout the match. Krizo though got past Kallon couple of times but never capitalised the opportunity.

Apart from defending, Ashok was brilliant in overlapping. He provided passes regularly to the strikers. It was Ashok who provided the assist in Chidi’s first goal.

Sebastian was also useful as a left-back. Kashmir’s Danish Farooq is an immensely talented player and can be lethal if he gets space to run. Sebastian didn’t commit a single mistake in the game and kept Danish quiet in the whole match.

#2 Defenders let Kashmir down

Real Kashmir FC were making all the attacks for the first half an hour. So their defenders weren’t in much trouble, apart from thwarting one or two odd movements. Perhaps being complacent from that, Kashmir conceded the first goal against the run of the play.

Ashok delivered a cross from the right and Loveday Okechukwu was in the best position to clear the ball.

Sadly, he couldn’t connect with the ball and Chidi, who was lurking in the box, had no problem in putting the past hapless Bilal Khan.

Ravanan should also be the guilty party as he failed to mark Chidi when the cross was coming in.

Also during the second goal, there was a clear lack of concentration from the players. Aaron Ketebe failed to clear a simple ball which went under his legs to Chidi, who was standing just behind him. Chidi scored with his first touch to put the lead beyond Kashmir’s control.

#1 Chidi gets his form back

Odili Felix Chidi has been with NEROCA FC for the last few seasons. He has witnessed everything with this club. It was due to his goal-scoring prowess that NEROCA FC got promotion in the I-League last year.

In their maiden I-League season, Chidi was tremendous form, scoring seven goals in the process. He had even scored against Kolkata giants East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

In the Super Cup, he scored against Kerala Blasters FC. Chidi failed to put his name on the scoresheet in the first three matches. At last, he scored when it mattered.

NEROCA FC were in deep trouble against the incessant attacks of Kashmir in the first half. But there came a moment and Chidi scored with the first real opportunity.

He avoided his marker intelligently and met Ashok Singh’s cross superbly to put the ball into the back off the net.

He got injured early in the second half after a horrendous challenge. Krizo elbowed on his cheek and blood was coming out from his face.

Back on the field with a bandage, Chidi was trying to get a chance. It came all of sudden in the 74th minute when Katebe failed to clear a ball.

As he was surrounded by opponent defenders, Chidi used his brain and took a shot in the first time. The ball went past Bilal.

The Nigerian deservedly got the man of the match award for his brace and courage to play full time even after an injury.

Edited by Alan John