A stunning long-range strike from midfielder Rohen Singh proved to be the difference as Real Kashmir FC edged a spirited TRAU FC 2-1 in a Group F contest of the Durand Cup in Imphal on Monday.
Earlier, the match came alive with two quick goals in the 24th and 26th minutes, first from Real Kashmir's Marat Tareck and then TRAU's Afridi Buyamayum, setting the tone for a fiercely contested battle in front of over 20,000 fans in attendance.
But it was Rohen's 64th-minute rocket from outside the box that ultimately sealed the deal for the Snow Leopards, clinching three vital points, despite a spirited fight from the home side.
The match began at a frenetic pace, with both sides looking to assert early dominance. TRAU had the first real chance of the match in the 13th minute when Afridi broke through, but Real Kashmir's goalkeeper Furqan Ahmad Dar was quick off his line to deny the forward with a brave stop.
TRAU controlled possession and kept probing the Real Kashmir defence with clever movements and wing play.
However, it was the visitors who struck first against the run of play in the 24th minute. A perfectly lofted ball from midfielder Rohen found Marat Tareck in the box. The Russian made no mistake, calmly slotting it past Sapam Singh to hand Real Kashmir a 1-0 lead.
But the celebration was short-lived. TRAU responded immediately from the restart. Monis Singh burst down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, where Afridi finished with composure to level the scores at 1-1 in the very next minute.
The end-to-end nature of the contest continued with TRAU looking sharper on the wings, combining well through Monis, Dhananjoy, and Nelson.
The Snow Leopards capitalised in the 64th minute. After sustained pressure, Sessegnon teed up Rohen on the edge of the box, and the midfielder unleashed a thunderous strike into the net to make it 2-1.
At full-time, it was Ishfaq Ahmed's men who emerged victorious, earning three crucial points. TRAU FC, despite showing moments of brilliance and enjoying strong home support, were left to rue missed chances and a costly red card.
Real Kashmir next face NEROCA FC on August 10, while TRAU FC will look to regroup before their upcoming fixture against Indian Navy, two days later, on August 12.
Bagan post second win
Later in a Group B fixture in Kolkata, Mohun Bagan Super Giant slammed three goals in quick succession to secure a comfortable 4-0 victory over Border Security Force (BSF) for their second consecutive victory.
Liston Colaco scored a brace, while Sahal Abdul Samad also found the target after Manvir Singh had given the Mariners the lead in the first-half at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan.
With this win, Mohun Bagan have six points from two matches to be placed second in the group behind Diamond Harbour FC on goal difference. The final group game between both sides on August 9 will decide the group winners.
Mohun Bagan took 24 minutes to break the BSF defence when Manvir leapt ahead of his marker and directed the 18-year-old Roshan's cross past the goalkeeper Harpreet Singh.
The Mariners, who had seven attempts on goal in the first-half, failed to convert them with Anirudh Thapa and Manvir putting their efforts wide which were both created by Liston Colaco.
The winger later scuffed his shot wide in the final action of the first-half after he was set free by Thapa as the home side went into the break with a solitary goal lead.
BSF could have punished Mohun Bagan for their defensive lapses, including twice inside five minutes and one in added time of the first half, but Kishori could not capitalise on the chances.
Jose Molina brought in Sahal, Kiyan Nassiri and centre back Alberto Rodriguez at half-time to inject more energy into his side.
Mohun Bagan took the lead just seven minutes after the restart through Colaco. Sahal pushed the ball into the path of Colaco who found the bottom corner with a hard low shot to double the lead.
Colaco completed his brace minutes later as he beat his marker inside the box with a couple of step overs and slotted the ball into the net between the legs of the goalkeeper.
Sahal, who was sharp after coming on, joined the party three minutes later to give Mohun Bagan their fourth goal of the match.
The midfielder made his way inside the box and with a neat skill, beat the rushing goalkeeper and his scooped shot had crossed the line before the BSF defender could clear it off the line.
Sahal then struck the crossbar with a powerful effort in the next attack while Dippendu Biswas also saw his glancing header from a corner kick being saved by the goalkeeper.
