Srinagar, Feb 18 (NationPress) Real Kashmir FC achieved yet another impressive home victory, defeating Namdhari FC 1-0 at the TRC Turf Ground on Tuesday. With five wins in their last seven matches, the Snow Leopards have bounced back from a mid-season slump and re-established their presence in the I-League 2024-25 title contention.

Brazilian forward Paulo Cezar netted the only goal from the penalty spot in the seventh minute. Real Kashmir, the only team still unbeaten at home this season (with six wins and three draws), have now advanced past Namdhari into second place with 26 points after 15 games.

On the other hand, the Punjab team is struggling, having won only one of their last five matches, which has severely impacted their title ambitions. Inter Kashi, who will face SC Bengaluru later today, currently sits in fourth with 24 points from 14 matches. This outcome has ensured that Churchill Brothers, leading with 28 points, will stay at the top of the table until the conclusion of Round 15.

Real Kashmir demonstrated their usual confidence at home, starting aggressively with Karim Samb winning a penalty after being fouled by Joseph Gordon. Paulo Cezar stepped up and deceived goalkeeper Jaspreet Singh to score his sixth goal of the season, putting the hosts in front.

The Snow Leopards almost doubled their lead in the 20th minute but were denied by a remarkable tackle from former Real Kashmir defender Lamine Moro. Karim Samb found himself one-on-one with Jaspreet but was thwarted by Moro's timely intervention.

Mohammad Inam, who scored Real Kashmir’s decisive goal against Gokulam Kerala previously, was again a key player. Just before halftime, he made a powerful attempt that was stopped by Jaspreet. The home side maintained their pressure with Asrar setting up Karim Samb, whose shot was blocked by Harpreet Singh as Namdhari defended tenaciously.

The visitors struggled offensively in the first half, relying heavily on their star player Cledson Carvalho da Silva to spark change in the second. He finally got a glimpse of goal in the 62nd minute but misjudged his lob. Later, he evaded two defenders and attempted a shot from outside the box, only to be blocked by Muhammad Hammad.

In the dying moments of the match, the best chance for a Namdhari equalizer fell to Moro in the 91st minute. After Pragyan Gogoi found him unmarked from a corner, the Ghanaian headed just over the bar from close range, resulting in Namdhari failing to score for the first time in nine matches.