After their quarrel with Gokulam Kerala officials over training facilities on Friday, it must not have been in the most peaceful frame of mind that the Real Kashmir players prepared for their I-League encounter here on Saturday.
That, however, didn’t stop them from staging a fine comeback, after being a goal down for much of the match, to take one point off Gokulam at the Corporation Stadium. The 1-1 draw means they haven’t lost in their last four matches.
It also means Gokulam hasn’t won in its last three. In front of another good crowd, it did seem the host could return to winning ways. But it had to pay the price for an attempt to slow down the game a bit in the second half, rather uncharacteristically.
Gokulam had taken a 20th minute lead through Pritam Singh, who did well to beat an advancing ‘keeper Bilal Khan, after being given an excellent through ball by Arjun Jayaraj, who else? It had all begun with a throw-in in its own half by Dimple Bhagat to Joel Sunday, who duped a couple of defenders before finding Arjun towards the right.
Gokulam ensured that it kept the lead going to the break. The second half began with Real Kashmir looking keener to attack, while the host showed a tendency to withdraw a little in to its own territory.
In the 69th minute, the visitors finally found the equaliser. It was done with some style too, as Suchandra Singh, from just inside the box, drove powerfully past the diving custodian Arnab Das Sharma.
Substitute Ritwik Kumar Das, from the centre of the ground, had passed the ball to Abedendo Kofi Tetteh, who then gave a fine cross to Suchandra. The Manipuri midfielder showed great presence of mind, taking time to control the ball before leashing that splendid left-footer of his.
With 14 points, Real Kashmir has maintained its third position, while Gokulam (10) has jumped a place to sixth.
The result: Gokulam Kerala 1 (Pritam Singh 20) drew with Real Kashmir 1 (Surchandra Singh 69).
Man-of- the Match: Pritam Singh.
