I-League: Sudeva Delhi Earn Second Win Of Season, Down Mumbai Kenkre 3-1

Mumbai

A match between the bottom-placed teams of the I-League provided some of the best football this season, and several moments of individual brilliance, as Sudeva Delhi FC earned their second win, beating Mumbai Kenkre FC 3-1 at the Cooperage Stadium on Monday.
The first half was rather lacklustre, with the two teams creating one real chance each. First, Mumbai Kenkre's Cameroonian forward Auguste Somlaga wasted a perfect cross from the right by Kynsailang Khongsit in the 27th minute. Somlaga was unmarked in front of the goal but incredibly, headed it wide from six yards out.

The second chance came to eventual Hero of the Match Seilenthang Lotjem of Sudeva Delhi, at the stroke of half-time. Nitesh Darjee centred from the left to find the 18-year-old in the middle of the box unmarked. He had only Kenkre goalkeeper Padam Chettri to beat from hand-shaking distance, but his tap was too weak to beat the custodian. Lalbiakliana made a similar mistake in the 55th minute. This time the cross was from Lotjem.

However, Sankarlal Chakraborty's team got the lead in the next minute itself. Lalbiakliana was brought down outside the box on the left. Argentine forward Alexis Gomez, who had the Kenkre defence on a string tonight, took a thunderous free-kick that hit the post. Lalbiakliana was at the right place to shoot the rebound. It deflected off Kenkre defender Lalhmangaihsanga, and went in.
The second goal, however, was a piece of sublime skill by Lotjem.