Srinagar- Real Kashmir Football Club (RKFC) extended their unbeaten home run in this I-League with a commanding 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong FC on Sunday at the TRC Ground Srinagar.
With this win, RKFC climbed to the fourth position in the standings with 19 points from 12 matches, while Lajong dropped to seventh with 16 points from the same number of games. The Snow Leopards have now played eight home matches this season, securing five wins and three draws.
Braving the cold and backed by a strong home crowd of over 6,000, RKFC displayed tactical discipline on Sunday and controlled the game from the outset. However, Shillong Lajong, fresh from a Northeast Derby win against Aizawl FC, started with confidence and created early chances.
Real Kashmir’s goalkeeper Zahid Bukhari proved instrumental in keeping the visitors at bay.
The hosts had their own scoring opportunities, notably when Kamal Issah attempted a header over Lajong goalkeeper Ranit Sarkar, but defender Aman Ahlawat made a goalline clearance.
Real Kashmir eventually broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time. A long throw from the left found Cameroonian defender Bouba Aminou inside the box, and he rose above the defenders to head home his third goal of the season, sending the home fans into celebration.
In the second half, Lajong pushed forward in search of an equalizer, but Real Kashmir’s solid defensive organization denied them any breakthroughs.
The Snow Leopards sealed the game in the 88th minute when Mohammed Aqib’s long pass found Issah. The Ghanaian midfielder outpaced Maxderidoff Wahlang and calmly slotted the ball past an onrushing Sarkar, ensuring RKFC’s dominant home run remained intact.
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