Sports News | Kenkre FC Down Real Kashmir 1-0, Opens Up Relegation Battle
Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. Debutants Kenkre FC rode on a late second-half strike by Aravindraj Rajan to edge past a 10-man Real Kashmir FC 1-0 in the I-League here on Sunday.
Kalyani (West Bengal), May 1 (PTI) Debutants Kenkre FC rode on a late second-half strike by Aravindraj Rajan to edge past a 10-man Real Kashmir FC 1-0 in the I-League here on Sunday.
The bottom-placed Kenkre, thus, continued their unbeaten run in the relegation playoff, securing their third win from four matches to throw the relegation battle wide open.
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With one round remaining, Kenkre FC now have 12 points, while Real Kashmir are sitting precariously in the fifth spot after suffering their fourth defeat on the trot.
In a must-win match for the two relegation-wary sides, Kenkre dominated the first 15 minutes, while Real Kashmir had more attempts at the goal but neither side were able to break the deadlock.
Rajan finally broke the deadlock in the 78th minute when Vijay Nagappan swung in a corner and it was half-cleared by Bilal Khan's punch.
Substitute Khongsit took a shot from the half-cleared chance but it was not cleanly struck.
Fortunately, it fell kindly for Rajan who nodded the ball home from close range and gave Kenkre the much-needed goal.
In the 90th minute, Real Kashmir were reduced to 10 players after Ponif Vaz was sent off for showing dissent.
Seven minutes were added at the end of regulation time but it was not enough as Kenkre managed to hold on to their lead and seal three points.
The result meant that the battle to survive will go to the final day of the relegation play-off on May 4 when Real Kashmir face a must-win match against TRAU FC.
Kenkre will take on Indian Arrows, while Aizawl will face Sudeva Delhi.
Earlier in the day in Naihati, Sudeva Delhi were held to a goalless draw by Indian Arrows.
An extremely cagey start to the first half ensured neither keeper was tested. Both sides attempted only two shots each, out of which only one for Sudeva was on target.
Brijesh Giri was the first to advance and won a freekick on the left flank after his typical sprint was halted unfairly by Sudeva skipper Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak. Nothing manifested from the resulting free-kick for the Arrows.
At the other end, Sudeva won a free-kick right in front of goal, near the edge of the box after Sibajit Singh brought Lawmnasangzuala down.
In-form youngster Shubho Paul's effort straight hit the Arrows' wall.
The only on-target shot of the half came in the 17th minute when William Neihsial cut into the Arrows' box from the left and saw his near post attempt was comfortably saved by Arrows' keeper Lovepreet Singh.
(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)