3rd straight draw for Churchill after Real Kashmir stalemate

Kolkata, Feb 8 : Table-toppers Churchill Brothers were held to their third successive draw in the I-League 2020-21 on Monday when the Red Machines were stopped in their tracks by Real Kashmir FC for a goalless draw at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) Stadium.
With the points shared, Churchill Brothers continue to remain at the top of the I-League table with 13 points in seven games while Real Kashmir and Mohammedan Sporting are at their heels with 10 points and a game in hand each.
The top-of-the-table clash on Monday was embedded with fireworks right from kick-off as neither team held back in the opening minutes of the match. Real Kashmir FC started strong and their direct, high-pressing style of play early on overwhelmed the Churchill Brothers’ defence. Lukman Adefemi had an opportunity in the fourth minute to head the ball towards goal but could not test the opposition custodian.
Churchill Brothers, playing second best to Real Kashmir for the first ten minutes, had their moments later and could have possibly gone in front, much against the run of play in the 12th minute. A delightful counter-attack by the Red Machines saw Hafis Mohammadali run straight towards the goal. With only the opposition custodian to beat, his shot earned a heroic save from Mithun Samanta as Real Kashmir survived the scare.
The chance seemed to boost the Red Machines’ confidence as the Fernando Varela-coached side used the flanks to unleash attacks. In the 19th minute, Shubert Periera tried his luck from distance but shot over the bar. Although Real Kashmir had the majority of the ball possession, the Snow Leopards lacked creativity up front and long balls in the box were easily cleared by the Red Machines’ defence line.
In the 32d minute, Shilton Paul was called into action when Farhan Ganai’s swirling shot on the turn, from distance, was kept out by him after Real Kashmir committed bodies in attack courtesy of a long Haroon Amiri throw-in.