Srinagar: The fairytale run of Real Kashmir FC in the I-League continued as they defeated Gokulam Kerala FC by a solitary goal to go to the top of points table here, Wednesday.
The match between the ‘Snow Leopards’ and Gokulam was played at the TRC Ground in chilling weather conditions amid a mix of rain and snowfall with none of the teams willing to yield the ground. Ivorian striker Gnohere Krizo scored the all-important goal in the 51st minute to hand Real Kashmir full three points from the match.
The win propelled the Jammu and Kashmir side to the top of the table with 32 points, dislodging Chennai City FC (30 points) who, however, have two games in hand over Real Kashmir.
It started snowing before the match and heavy rains lashed the ground later on. The two sides played a goalless first half as controlling the ball became difficult for the players of both the teams due to water-logging in many patches of the synthetic astro-turf pitch.
Real Kashmir should have taken the lead in the first half but Krizo missed several easy chances to put his side ahead. But he made amends in the second session.
Local boy Farhan Ganiae saw his fierce shot from the top of the box palmed by Gokulam custodian Arnab Das but Krizo was well placed to tap in the rebound.
This was the ninth clean sheet for the Real Kashmir, which has the meanest defence in the I-League this year, having conceded only eight goals in 16 games so far.
PTI
