Srinagar, December 27: Brazilian Tiago Adan scored twice and Mason Robertson scored a goal as Real Kashmir beat Aizawl FC 3-2 in its opening encounter of I-League season 2021-22. on Monday at Kalyani Stadium Kolkatta.
While Tiago scored a brace in the match, Mason Robertson scored the crucial third goal for the Snow Leopards in the second half of the match.
The encounter started with Real Kashmir sitting deep in their half and allowing Aizawl FC to keep the ball in the opening minutes. Ayush Chhetri got the first shot in the match away in the 7th minute of play after he received a pass from a corner. But his long-range hit went wide off the target.
Two minutes later, Real Kashmir received a corner of their own and Surchandra Singh sent the ball straight into the box, which was headed in to the back of the nets by striker Tiago Adan to give the Snow Leopards a 1-0 lead in the 9th minute.
With skipper Mason Robertson’s dangerous long throw-ins, and Surchandra Singh’s threatening run-ins from the left flank, Real Kashmir kept their threat going despite not having much of the ball with them.
Aizawl FC received their third corner, and this time, Lalthakima Ralte latched on to the cross with a direct header and scored the equaliser in the 38th minute to make it 1-1.
Unfortunately for Aizawl FC, Real Kashmir’s Tiago restored the lead in the additional minutes of the first half. A corner from Surchandra reached Mason, but his shot was parried away by the goalkeeper Lalmuansanga to Tiago, who latched on the rebound and struck it in to make it 2-1 as the first half came to a close.
In the 66th minute, Mason Robertson got the third goal for Real Kashmir, as he managed to get a header on the ball on a cross by Thoi Singh from the left flank. The ball went into the nets and Real Kashmir went 3-1 up.
A moment of danger came for the Snow Leopards in the 74th minute as Aizawl FC received an indirect free kick inside the box with Bilal making the mistake of collecting the ball from a backpass. But Real Kashmir valiantly blocked the shot and Aizawl FC once again failed to grab the opportunity.
Just when it looked like Real Kashmir would run away with the win, a twist came in the 85th minute with Ramhlunchhunga scoring a goal with a shot from outside the box to reduce the deficit.
Tiago Adnan, who was the star performer for Real Kashmir, was stretchered off with three minutes remaining in the match.
Real Kashmir will next face off against Kenkre FC on 31st December 2021.
Courtesy:ILeague/AIFF