I-League 2nd Division 2018 : Three teams qualify to the next round, Kerala and Hindustan's fate hang in balance

An exciting last day of the Preliminary Round of the I-League 2nd Division came to a close with sixteen teams trying for qualification and pride alike.

Two of the games in Delhi were washed out due to immense thunderstorm and lightning. Sportskeeda is yet to get a notice from the League Committee if a rematch is on the cards or the points are to be divided.

Real Kashmir and Ozone FC Bengaluru have joined Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) in the Main Round while FC Kerala and Hindustan's fate hang in balance after the latter's game was washed out.

Let's have a look at all the matches unfolded today in brief :

Match 1: Mohammedan SC 1-0 Bengaluru FC Reserves

Mohammedan SC got the better of Bengaluru FC in the Barasat Stadium with 1-0 win today. The Black Panthers looked the better side today as they created much more chances than their counterparts throughout the game.

After sustained defending for the most part of the game, the Blues were caught napping at the back as Dipendu Dowary scored the sole goal of the game at the 70th minute to register three points for the home side.

Match 2: Madhya Bharat SC 0-2 FC Goa Reserves

In what was a very ill-tempered game, FC Goa scrapped up three points with a comfortable 2-0 win over winless Madhya Bharat SC. Leander D Cunha was sent off late in the game after a rash tackle.

Liston Colaco gave Gaurs the lead at the 62nd minute before Lalawmpuia doubled the lead in additional time to make it 2-0.

Match 3: Fateh Hyderabad 4-2 FC Kerala

FC Kerala were tamed 2-4 by Fateh Hyderabad in Hyderabad after they failed to protect a 0-2 lead at the break as Fateh Hyderabad ran out winners by scoring 4 goals in the second half.

FC Kerala's qualification aspirations now hang in balance after this loss and they have to wait for a further notification of the abandoned Hindustan FC game.

Abhijith E.M scored for the away side at 19th minute before Jithin M.S made it 2-0 after six minutes.

FC Kerala kept on piling up the pressure and went into the break with a 2-0 win. Fateh Hyderabad began the comeback spree early in the second half.

Hitova Ayemi (49', 87'), Imran Khan (54') and Lalrinfela (90') scored to help the home side register an unprecedented comeback.

Match 4: FC Pune City Reserves 0-1 Real Kashmir

Kouassi Yao's solitary goal at the 21st-minute mark helped Real Kashmir qualify for the next round by the virtue of being Group A Toppers.

In what was a game plagued by intense thunderstorms and logistical issues causing a delay in kick-off, Real Kashmir dominated the proceedings and came out comprehensive winners. FC Pune City Reserves looked extremely off-color today as they seldom created goal scoring chances.

Match 5: TRAU FC 3-1 Langsning FC

Tiddim Road Athletic Union or TRAU continued their impressive form in the league as they ran out comfortable 3-1 winners.

Ngangbam Naocha scored the opening goal in the 34th minute. He scored again in the 49th minute to make it 2-0 for the Imphal based side.

Reisangmei Vashum scored ten minutes later to triple the lead. Langsning got one back through Kitboklang Pale in the 90th minute.

Match 6: Ozone FC Bengaluru 0-1 Kerala Blasters Reserves

Ozone FC Bengaluru were dealt a huge scare today as they fell to a 0-1 loss to Kerala Blasters Reserves in their last group game.

Despite losing the game, the Bengaluru based team have qualified for the next round by virtue of finishing second above FC Kerala and below Kerala Blasters Reserves.

Suraj Rawat put the Men in Yellow ahead in the 34th minute. Ozone FC Bengaluru committed half of their team forward in a bid to equalize but the Blasters defense held on to scrap out a hard-fought 0-1 win.

Abandoned Games

The Delhi Dynamos Reserves and Lonestar Kashmir game along with Hindustan FC and Delhi United game were abandoned due to thunderstorm and desert storm in the capital.

What's next?

FC Kerala would look forward to further notice from the All India Football Federation (AIFF) as their fate depends on the outcome of the Hindustan-Lonestar game.

If Hindustan FC get a single point from a potential rematch or are given points on the virtue of a tied game, FC Kerala would stand eliminated and Hindustan FC would become the fourth team to qualify for the next round of the I-League Second Division.