I-League 2024-25: Churchill Brothers’ Equalizer Challenges Inter Kashi’s Title Dreams

Raia, March 30 (NationPress) Churchill Brothers FC Goa made significant progress toward clinching their third I-League title following a 2-2 stalemate with Inter Kashi at the Raia Ground on Sunday.

The dramatic equalizer from Churchill Brothers’ Lalremruata in injury time (90+4’) served as a potential death knell for Inter Kashi’s aspirations in the I-League 2024-25. Earlier, José Luis Moreno (57’) had given the hosts an advantage, but Inter Kashi quickly responded with two impressive goals from Edmund Lalrindika (63’) and Nikola Stojanović (65’) after a scoreless first half.

The outcome places the ball squarely in Churchill Brothers’ court, as they now accumulate 39 points from 21 fixtures, three points ahead of second-placed Real Kashmir, who they face in a crucial league finale on April 6, 2025. Meanwhile, Inter Kashi sits third with 36 points from the same number of matches, effectively eliminating them from title contention due to a weaker head-to-head record against both Churchill and Real Kashmir.

A crowded Raia Ground, filled mostly with local fans eager to see Churchill Brothers secure the I-League title for the first time in 12 years, witnessed a cautious start to the match, with both teams taking turns to attack. The atmosphere hinted at a brewing storm.

Both teams played cautiously at first, creating close opportunities from free-kicks. Stojanović had a seventh-minute dead-ball chance saved by Churchill’s keeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir, while Pape Gassama’s looping free-kick sailed just over the crossbar of Inter Kashi’s goal.

Edmund consistently troubled Churchill Brothers’ defense, striving to find space. However, he squandered a golden opportunity to score in the 25th minute when Prasanth K broke free on the right and slipped the ball past the goalkeeper, only to hit the post. Edmund, rushing in from the far side with an open goal, missed from a tight angle.

Just before halftime, Edmund was played through inside the Churchill box by Stojanović, but a timely sliding interception by Lamgoulen Semkholun cleared the ball away from his path.

If the first half was intense, both teams escalated their efforts after the break. Inter Kashi sought to play incisive through balls while Churchill concentrated on crowding the opponent's box. The Red Machines struck first.

Sebastian Gutiérrez delivered a well-placed free-kick from mid-range for Moreno to convert with a header at the near post, leaving Inter Kashi goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja with no chance to react. However, Churchill’s lead was short-lived.

Mario Barco, spotting Edmund in space, sent a perfectly timed aerial pass that allowed the India international to chip the ball over Kadir and level the score.

Two minutes later, Stojanović, seeing Kadir off his line, decided to take a shot from half-field during a free-kick. The ball hung just enough to evade the keeper's reach and found its way into the net. The previously jubilant crowd was silenced.

The Red Machines, however, continued to press Inter Kashi, and their relentless effort finally bore fruit. They surged forward and earned a free-kick during injury time. The dead ball by Lalremruata, whipped in from the right, could have deflected off several players in the box but instead hit the far post and bounced back in, igniting wild celebrations at the Raia Ground.

While Churchill Brothers have not yet secured their third I-League title, the jubilation indicated their proximity to it.