DURAND CUP 2025 : Real Kashmir beat NEROCA 3-1 to stay in hunt
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, August 10 2025: I-League outfit Real Kashmir FC claimed a comfortable 3-1 win over hosts NEROCA FC in a crucial Group F encounter of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, held at Khuman Lampak Main Stadium on Sunday.

Veteran defender Salam Ranjan Singh opened the scoring for the visitors in the first half, only for Lucas Chagas to draw NEROCA level.

However, goals from Maret Tareck and Modou Mbengue ensured the Snow Leopards took all three points.

The result sees the Kashmiri side conclude their group-stage campaign with six points from three matches, while NEROCA finish with just two.

The final Group F fixture between Indian Navy FT and TRAU FC on August 12 will now decide who advance to the knockout stage as group winners.

NEROCA head coach Gyan Moyon made two changes to his starting XI, bringing in Kabrabam Arun Kumar Singh and Saphaba Singh Telem for Nonganba Singh Akoijam and Nongthongbam Japes, deploying a 4-4-2 formation.

Real Kashmir's head coach Ishfaq Ahmed made just one change, with Ahteeb Ahmad Dar replacing Shahid Nazir in a 4-2-3-1 set-up.

The opening half was closely contested, with early exchanges proving cagey as both sides probed cautiously without carving out clear opportunities.

NEROCA began to press higher as the game settled, Harrison making a lively forward run that was ultimately snuffed out by the visiting defence.

The home side's best chance of the half came when Saphaba skipped past two defenders before delivering a low cross for Arun, whose shot drifted narrowly wide.

Real Kashmir broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalising on a set piece, A corner found Salam Ranjan Singh unmarked in the box, and the defender showed composure to control before rifling a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.

The goal injected confidence into the visitors, while NEROCA's frustrations began to boil over, with Rohit booked for a late challenge on Tarek, quickly followed by a yellow card for Kinesh after a shove.

Just before the break, Haider Yusuf slipped a clever pass to Sessegnon, whose dangerous cross went untouched, leaving Real Kashmir ahead at half-time.

NEROCA began the second half with renewed urgency and their persistence paid off in the 67th minute.

Saphaba wriggled past two markers near the edge of the area before threading a perfectly weighted through ball between Real Kashmir's centre-backs.

Lucas timed his run well, took a touch to compose himself and slotted a low shot beyond Furqan's reach into the far corner to level the score.

Real Kashmir restored their lead just three minutes later with a well-worked set piece.

From a free-kick on the right flank, Rohen Singh swung in a curling delivery towards the near post.

Toure rose highest, flicking the ball on with the back of his head into space inside the box.

Tarek, arriving with impeccable timing, kept his composure to drill a low, angled strike into the far corner.

The contest was put to bed late on when Real Kashmir turned defence into attack with clinical precision.

Spotting space on the right, Tarek drove forward, drawing defenders before slipping a perfectly judged through ball to Modou, who had ghosted in behind the NEROCA defence.

Taking the ball in stride, Modou cut inside onto his stronger foot and fired a low shot into the far corner, beyond the goalkeeper's reach.

The late strike sealed a commanding victory for the Snow Leopards, ending NEROCA's hopes of a late revival and keeping Real Kashmir firmly in contention for the quarterfinals.

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