Second time’s the charm

Anil Datt

Ludhiana, February 16

Punjab FC overcame stiff resistance from spirited opponents Real Kashmir FC before sealing a 1-0 win in the I-League encounter at the Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

Both teams were out to cut the gap on table-toppers Mohun Bagan and keep their title hopes alive and it was Punjab’s Dipanda Dicka 44th minute winner which tilted the tie in their favour. This was Dicka’s ninth goal of the season and he is now on par with Mohun Bagan’s Fran Gonzalez on top of goalscoring chart of the league. The win takes Punjab FC to 21 points from 13 games, whereas Real Kashmir have 15 points from 10 matches.

The match started off with Real Kashmir using their long ball tactics in order to use forwards Robin Singh and Mason Lee Robertson up front. But Punjab defender Eze Kingsley played his role in the perfect manner to keep to keep the visitors at bay. However, the testing times arrived as soon as in the 13th minute when Real Kashmir players unleashed back-to-back shots at goal but the home side were lucky not to concede.

In the 35th minute, Punjab custodian Kiran Kumar Limbu made a blunder by mispassig the ball out to visitors’ Kallum Michael who took a shot from far away, but Kingsley, enjoying a fine outing, was again at right place in the right time to make a goal-line clearance. As the first-half was drawing to a close, the deadlock was finally broken by Dicka. Cavin Lobo found some space in the middle and launched an inch-perfect for the Cameroonian and he made no mistake to find the back of the net.

In the second-half, Punjab FC set the intensity from the get-go and created a host of opportunities as Dicka had two chances in the first five minutes to seal the match.

With this win, Punjab FC are only the second team along with TRAU FC to stay unbeaten at home. Punjab FC now face Gokulam Kerala next in Kozikhode and Real Kashmir continue their away run of fixtures in Goa against Churchill Brothers.

TRAU hold Chennai City

Imphal: A resolute Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) FC held defending champions Chennai City FC to a goalless draw in a match at the Khuman Lumpak Stadium here today. TRAU goalkeeper Shayan Roy was magnificent under the bar to deny the visitors all three points. The first-half was entertaining as both sides created goal-scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. With this result, TRAU rose to the fourth position with 16 points, while Chennai City slipped to seventh place with 15 points. — PTI

Bagan fined Rs 3 lakh, asked to clear dues

Kolkata: The All India Football Federation’s disciplinary committee today fined I-League heavyweights Mohun Bagan Rs3 lakh for non-payment of salary to four of its former players. The Mariners, who are front runners to clinch this season’s I-League title, have been directed to clear the dues and pay the fine within a fortnight. “The disciplinary Committee under the chairmanship of Ushanath Banerjee directed Mohun Bagan to pay the dues of four players within 30 days and pay fine of Rs3,00,000 within 15 days, failing which they will face Transfer Ban for forthcoming successive two windows,” the order stated. PTI

ISL: Chennaiyin stun sluggish ATK, win 3-1

Kolkata: Chennaiyin FC snapped ATK’s 4-match winning run with a dominating 3-1 victory to keep their play-off hopes alive in the Indian Super league here today. ATK may have qualified for the playoffs, but the loss is a big blow to their AFC Champions League qualifying aspirations with FC Goa taking a three-point lead at the top with only a match left for the league stage to conclude. Goals from Rafael Crivellaro (7’) and Andre Schembri (39’) gave them a 2-0 lead before Roy Krishna pulled one back with his 14th goal of the season (40’). A late goal from Nerijus Valskis (90+4’) sealed full points for the visitors. PTI

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