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An opportunist Real Kashmir FC beat Aizawl FC 1-0 at the RG Stadium on February 28, 2024. Henry Kisekka’s first-half goal, after a goalkeeping error, proved to be the difference between the sides on a day where the home team were left ruing their missed chances and inability to break down the resolute defence of the visiting side.
The Snow Leopards remain in the fourth spot on the I-League table with 30 points from 16 matches. They are just two points adrift of second and third-placed Gokulam Kerala FC and Sreenidi Deccan FC, respectively, though the latter have a match in hand.
The side from the Mizoram capital, on the other hand, have now played seven consecutive I-League matches without a win, and thus languish at the eighth spot with 21 points from 16 matches.
Aizawl FC conjured up the first real chance of the game within five minutes of the start, Ramdinthara latching on to a corner on the volley, but sending his effort just wide of the left post. Waves of Aizawl FC attacks followed in the next few minutes, despite almost all of them failing because of a wayward pass in the final third. It proved to be a short-lived period of dominance, as Real Kashmir capitalised in the 15th minute, against the run of play, to take the lead.
Muhammad Hammad’s long throw from the near touchline was completely misread by Aizawl FC goalkeeper Nora Fernandes, who allowed the ball to drift past him on the boot of an onrushing Henry Kisekka. The Ugandan gratefully took the gift to give the visitors the lead. It was calamitous goalkeeping and opportunism at its best.
Real Kashmir had a chance to extend that lead ten minutes later, Krizo picking up the ball at the top of the box, after a deft one-two, only to see his curling shot bounce back off the post. In the final five minutes of the half, Aizawl FC put together a strong attacking spell, winning a series of corners, but never really testing the goalkeeper or creating anything that would help them draw even before the break.
Real Kashmir FC locked down the hatches in the second half, and made the hosts play to their pace through the majority of the second period. Aizawl FC were again restricted to taking shots from distance or from tough angles and despite dominating every statistic, they failed to notch a number on the one that really mattered.
