The injury time penalty in favour of visistors East Bengal FC resulted in a heartbreak for Real Kashmir FC in the high tempermatch of I-League against visitors East Bengal FC at Synthetic Turf TRC Ground Srinagar on Monday.
East Bengal got penalty in 90+5 minutes which was converted by Victor Perez (90+5′) to earn his team 1-0 win
Real Kashmir FC played most of the match with 10 men after local boy Danish Bhat was sent off in the 38th minute while Kallum Higginbotham (90+8′) received the marching orders late in injury time along with Red and Golds’ substitute Edmund Lalrindika for an off-the-ball altercation.
The match started on bright note with East Bengal defender doing well to block Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte’s first time left-footed half-volley that was bound for goal after East Bengal goalkeeper Mirshad Michu had moved out to block a shot.
On counter , East Bengal forrward kept Real Kashmir Fc defense line lead by Loveday busy in their own half against numerous dangerous deliveries from the right flank.
Danish Bhat got himself booked for simulation in the opponent’s box, which was his second yellow in the 38th minute, but the hosts still survived the half without conceding. In fact, Robin Singh should have at least hit the target as he miscued a Acosta clearance off Kallum Higginbotham’s free-kick in added time.
East Bengal registered their first shot on target in the 54th minute through Jamie Santos’ free-kick that was punched out by rival custodian Phurba Lachenpa, a little before Real Kashmir’s Bazie Armand was lucky to get away with a yellow after a high foot against Perez.
Mason Robertson’s decision of going under the wall from his free-kick could have gone anywhere after picking a deflection but went wide.
With game certain for a draw, after a lengthy discussion with his assistant, referee awarded a penalty to the visitors after Juan Mera went down against a challenge of Loveday Enyinnaya. Perez stepped up to convert that into goal and take East Bengal to 23 points from 16 games. They have moved to second place but are tied on points with Punjab FC. Real Kashmir with this defaet remains at fourth with 22 points alongwith TRAU FC and Gokulam Kerala who have same points.