I-League 2024-25: Namdhari FC's Title Quest Continues with Narrow Victory Against Sreenidi Deccan
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Synopsis
Namdhari FC secured a vital 1-0 win against Sreenidi Deccan, reviving their title hopes in the I-League 2024-25. Cledson Carvalho Dasilva's goal in the 12th minute made all the difference, snapping their four-game winless streak and placing them in contention for the championship.
Key Takeaways
- Namdhari FC ended a four-match winless streak.
- Cledson Carvalho Dasilva scored the only goal of the match.
- Namdhari is now third in the I-League standings.
- Sreenidi Deccan struggled despite recent victories.
- Defensive strategy helped Namdhari control the game.
Hyderabad, March 2 (NationPress) Namdhari FC returned to form with a gritty 1-0 victory over Sreenidi Deccan in the 2024-25 I-League at the Deccan Arena on Sunday.
Cledson Carvalho Dasilva’s crucial goal in the 12th minute was the deciding factor, ending a streak of four games without a win for the visitors.
This win revived Namdhari’s ambitions for the title, propelling them to the third position in the standings with 26 points from 17 matches, placing them in close competition with other title contenders like Churchill Brothers, Inter Kashi, and Real Kashmir.
Sreenidi Deccan, struggling with inconsistency this season, faced another blow just when they seemed to be gaining traction with two consecutive wins.
Namdhari FC showcased a pragmatic style of play on Sunday, prioritizing a robust and disciplined defense over flamboyant tactics. This strategy effectively curtailed their opponents' creativity and limited their attacking options. With a strong midfield, they focused on swift transitions and counterattacks to capitalize on the gaps left by Sreenidi Deccan.
The match’s key moment arrived in the 12th minute when Namdhari executed a remarkable play to take the lead. Vicente De Paula Mercedes displayed excellent vision by lofting a perfectly weighted ball over the defenders from midfield.
Dasilva, reading the pass exceptionally well, timed his run impeccably, sprinting past the Sreenidi Deccan defenders to collect the ball. In a one-on-one situation with goalkeeper Aryan Lamba, Dasilva calmly slotted it home, marking his 11th goal of the campaign and elevating him to the joint-second highest scorer of the tournament.
The hosts struggled to mount an effective response. They held onto possession but lacked the pace and sharpness to breach Namdhari’s organized defense. Their best chance to equalize came in the 40th minute when David Castaneda Munoz launched a powerful shot, only to be denied by Namdhari goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh.
Despite high expectations for the Deccan Warriors to ramp up their offensive efforts in the second half, they failed to turn possession into tangible scoring chances. A promising opportunity arose for Lalromawia early in the half, but his header was brilliantly saved by Jaspreet Singh.
Namdhari had chances to extend their lead, but their missed opportunities kept the scoreline unchanged. Dasilva nearly added to his tally, but his free-kick attempt from Paula Mercedes struck the crossbar.
In the final moments, Sreenidi Deccan almost committed an own goal when Deepak DP nearly redirected the ball into his net, but Lamba was quick to avert the crisis. Ultimately, the squandered chances did not affect Namdhari, who clinched a crucial victory.
