I-League: Chencho's brilliant strike helps RoundGlass Punjab clinch a dominating win over Real Kashmir

Bhutanese forward Chencho Gleytsehn’s phenomenal strike in the 37th minute led RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) to clinch a comprehensive 1-0 win over Real Kashmir FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium in Kalyani, West Bengal on Sunday (March 21). Chencho’s strike proved to be the difference between the two sides while Lalrindika Ralte was sent off in added time during the second half, further compounding the woes of the Snow Leopards.

As early as in the 4th minute, Real Kashmir FC had the chance to take the lead when Haroon Amiri found Lalrindika Ralte inside the box. Lalrindika set himself perfectly with a nimble touch, but his shot was saved miraculously by RGPFC goalkeeper Kiran Limbu. It was not long before RGPFC had their chance in front of the goal in the 11th minute. Aakash Sangwan’s swirling cross was met by a venomous header by Chencho, but the strike, although powerful, lacked accuracy and a golden opportunity went amiss.

RoundGlass Punjab came once again very close to taking the lead in the 20th minute when Real Kashmir goalkeeper Mithun Samanta made a great save from close range to deny Pritam Singh’s effort from inside the box. Nine minutes later, Samanta once again denied RGPFC a chance by making another fine save. This time, Chencho’s curling shot from the edge of the box, despite having enough whip in it, was saved by Samanta’s fingertips.

RGPFC took the lead in the 37th minute when Chencho capitalised on a well-weighted Pritam Singh pass inside the box and triggered a shot into the bottom corner, leaving Samanta on the wrong foot and making the scoreline read 1-0.

Curtis Fleming’s team upped the ante and looked threatening in front of the goal in the second half as well. In the 53rd minute, Papa Diawara tried his luck from distance and came agonizingly close to doubling RoundGlass’s lead. A minute later, Chencho set up Diawara inside the box, and once again Samanta made a fine save to deny Diawara’s effort from a close range.

With RoundGlass Punjab FC dominating possession and creating more chances, Real Kashmir were largely pinned to their own half, defending. Rare chances — such as a 66th minute save by Kiran Limbu off a Sena Ralte shot — came to the Snow Leopards. However, for much of the second phase, they had no answer for RGPFC’s attacking style of football.

Lalrindika was sent off in the added extra time of the second half, reducing the Snow Leopards to 10 men. Thwarted by the RGPFC defence, Real Kashmir failed to find a way through and, at the end of time, the scoreline read 1-0 in favour of Fleming's men.

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