New Delhi, February 27: Real Kashmir FC will be taking on East Bengal I-League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Delhi, on Thursday, February 28.
The match is termed as crucial must-win clash for both the teams, if they want to keep their title hopes alive.
Although both the teams have recently fallen behind leaders Chennai City FC in the title race, all options are still open to both teams if they win all their last three games, and if Chennai drop points.
The match, which will be the first for this edition of the country’s top flight football league to be played in the National Capital, will kick off at 2 pm IST.
The decision to host the game in Delhi was taken at the AIFF League Committee Meeting at Football House in Delhi on Monday, February 25, after Real Kashmir informed in writing that they wanted to play their tie against East Bengal on February 28 at a neutral venue.
Both teams are coming off a draw in their respective previous games and need to up their game significantly, given the important nature of the clash.
The ‘home team’ Real Kashmir now have 33 points from 17 games and maintained their unbeaten record on the road as they stole a crucial point against Indian Arrows following the 2-2 draw at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar three days back.
Visitors East Bengal are placed second from the same number of games and with the same number of points as Real Kashmir (33) but are ahead on goal difference.
East Bengal have slipped in the league title race of late, following back-to-back stalemates at home, and would also miss the league’s most prolific Indian striker Jobby Justin for Thursday’s game.
The match is as good as a semi-final clash as it could decide whether Quess East Bengal will ensure title contention or Real Kashmir would once again look to topple Chennai City FC on the points table.
With Inputs from AIFF Media Team