Real Kashmir FC jump to 3rd sport with 6-1 win over Shillong Lajong
Srinagar: Abednedo Kofi struck twice as debutants Real Kashmir FC hammered Shillong Lajong FC 6-1 to jump to the third spot in the Hero I-League, here on Tuesday as their run of six continuous home matches came to a roaring end.
With their fourth win out of seven games, Kashmir soared to third on the points table, level with second-placed Churchill Brothers on points but a tad behind on goal difference.
Kashmir's goals were scored by Ghanaian forward Kofi, Mason Robertson, Nagen Tamang, Gnohere Krizo and Surchandra Singh.
Samuel Lyngdoh got Shillong's lone goal as the Meghalaya outfit remained at 10th place after eight games with just four points to show for their efforts. The home team's Scottish coach David Robertson fielded an unchanged side while Alison Kharsyntiew made two changes to the side which started against Neroca in the previous game which they lost. Hardy Cliff Nongbri and Sheen Stevenson made starts while Awmpuia and Nabin Rabha started on the bench. Nagen Tamang got the first chance of the game as early as the third minute when he hit straight to keeper Neithovilie Chalieu from close.
In the 25th minute, Ivorian beanpole striker Krizo bulldozed his way past two defenders into the Shillong box from the left and squared it beautifully for Ghanaian Abednedo Kofi, who tapped it past Neitho for it to go in, getting a touch off defender Rakesh Pradhan on its way. It was Kofi's first goal in Kashmir colours.
Three minutes later, Shillong got a fortuitous equaliser when Aibanbha's long ball from deep inside the Shillong half was finding its way harmlessly towards Kashmir keeper Bilal, but his first-time clearance struck a chasing Samuel Lyngdoh and entered the Kashmir net. It was the coach's son Mason Robertson who then put the hosts ahead once again in the 37th minute when off a Surchandra Singh corner, he rose to connect with a perfect header to beat Neitho and bulge the Shillong net. Kashmir extended their lead further in the 42nd
minute when Bazie Armand caught Shillong on the break and made a run forward. He found Kofi on the left flank who played ahead to Nagen Tamang who had got inside the box with a good run.
The Kurseong forward controlled the ball, turned to face the goal and curled a right-footer past Neitho into the far corner for his first in a Kashmir yellow as well. After an entertaining first half, Krizo almost added a fourth at the beginning of the second when a snapshot from him beat Neitho and hit the bar, just two minutes into the half. Off the resulting corner,
however, Krizo did find his second goal of the campaign, as Kashmir were awarded a penalty when Aibhan was adjudged to have brought down Krizo inside the box.
