Real Kashmir beat NEROCA 3-1 in Durand Cup group F clash

Real Kashmir FC defeated NEROCA FC 3-1 in the Durand Cup, with goals from Salam Ranjan, Tarek, and Modou, finishing their group stage campaign with six points from three matches

Hyderabad: I-League side Real Kashmir FC posted a comfortable 3-1 victory over home side NEROCA FC in an important Group F clash of the 134th IndianOil Durand Cup, played at the Khuman Lampak Main Stadium in Imphal on Sunday.

Veteran defender Salam Ranjan Singh gave the lead for Real Kashmir in the first half, which was equalised by Lucas Chagas. Goals from Maret Tareck and Modou Mbengue then ensured they secured all three points.

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The side from Kashmir finished their group stage campaign with six points from three matches, while NEROCA ended with two points. The final group stage match between Indian Navy FT and TRAU FC on August 12 will determine who qualifies for the knockouts as group winners.

NEROCA FC head coach Gyan Moyon made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Kabrabam Arun Kumar Singh and Saphaba Singh Telem in place of Nonganba Singh Akoijam and Nongthongbam Japes in a 4-4-2 formation. Real Kashmir FC head coach Ishfaq Ahmed made only one change, bringing in Ahteeb Ahmad Dar in place of Shahid Nazir in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The opening half saw a tightly contested battle. The early exchanges were cagey, as both sides probed cautiously without creating clear chances. NEROCA pressed higher as the game settled, with Harrison making a lively forward run that was eventually thwarted by the visitors’ defence.

The best chance for the home side came when Saphaba dribbled past two defenders and squared a low cross for Arun, but his attempt went narrowly wide. Real Kashmir broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute, capitalising on a set piece. A corner found Salam Ranjan Singh unmarked inside the box, and the defender showed fine composure to control and fire a powerful shot past the goalkeeper.

The goal boosted the visitors’ confidence, while NEROCA’s frustrations grew. Rohit picked up a yellow card for a late challenge on Tarek, followed by Kinesh being booked for a shove. In the final moments of the half, Real Kashmir threatened again when Haider Yusuf slipped a clever pass to Sessegnon, whose dangerous cross went untouched. The half ended with Real Kashmir holding the advantage.

The second half began with urgency as NEROCA pressed for an equaliser. They were rewarded in the 67th minute when Saphaba weaved past two markers before threading a through ball between the Real Kashmir centre-backs. Lucas latched onto it, took one touch, and slotted a low shot beyond goalkeeper Furqan into the far corner.

Real Kashmir regained the lead just three minutes later. In the 70th minute, Rohen Singh delivered a curling free-kick from the right flank. Toure flicked it on with the back of his head, and Tarek timed his run perfectly to drill a low shot into the far corner.

The third goal came late in the game. Tarek launched a swift counterattack, slipping the ball to Modou, who cut inside and fired a precise low shot into the far corner, sealing a 3-1 win for Real Kashmir and ending NEROCA’s hopes of a comeback.