IMPHAL, Nov 13: Real Kashmir FC began the I-League season on a winning note, beating hosts Neroca FC 1-0 here on Sunday.
It was Issahak Nuhu’s excellent 53rd minute strike that sealed all three points for new head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo’s team.
The first half of the match at Khuman Lampak Stadium was dominated by the Kashmir side and Neroca FC were slow to get off the blocks.
Despite RKFC’s intent, the deadlock could not be broken and the scoreline remained 0-0 at half time.
RKFC’s efforts, though, were rewarded a few minutes into the second half, with Nuhu finding the goal off a Yakubu Wadudu cross.
For all their possession, though, NEROCA did not pose many serious threats to the Real Kashmir goal, guarded by veteran keeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.
Changing over, Real Kashmir nearly prised open the NEROCA defence, when Davinder Singh skipped past his marker on the right near the corner line, cut into the box, and sent in a low cut-back to Nozim Babadzhanov, who slipped his shot inches wide.
A similar ploy a couple of minutes later, finally bore fruit for Real Kashmir, as Ghanaian midfielder Wadudu Yakubu broke unmarked into the NEROCA box from the right and sent in a hard, low cross that was smashed in by Nuhu. (PTI)
