IFL 2026/27: Sreenidi Deccan hold Real Kashmir 1-1 at TRC Stadium
Synopsis
Real Kashmir's first goal of the IFL 2026–27 season — a clinical finish by Man of the Match Thabiso Nelson Brown — was cancelled out by a headed equaliser from Sreenidi Deccan's David Castañeda Muñoz. A late Brown effort was brilliantly saved to deny the Snow Leopards all three points, leaving both sides with a share of the spoils at a lively TRC Stadium.
Key Takeaways
Sreenidi Deccan FC and Real Kashmir FC played out a 1-1 draw in the IFL 2026–27 at TRC Stadium, Srinagar on 7 November 2026 .
Thabiso Nelson Brown scored Real Kashmir's first goal of the season in the 19th minute and was named Man of the Match .
David Castañeda Muñoz headed in Sreenidi Deccan's equaliser in the 52nd minute from a cross by Jagdeep Singh .
Goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh produced a crucial save in the 80th minute to deny Brown a winner for Real Kashmir.
Sreenidi Deccan move to third place ; Real Kashmir open their account and rise to eighth , above Samaleswari SC.
Sreenidi Deccan FC came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Real Kashmir FC in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026–27 at the TRC Stadium in Srinagar on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Colombian striker David Castañeda Muñoz headed home the equaliser in the 52nd minute to cancel out Thabiso Nelson Brown's opener, ensuring both clubs shared the spoils.
Key Developments
Thabiso Nelson Brown, the Lesotho forward, broke the deadlock in the 19th minute after capitalising on a rebound from a header by Trinidad and Tobago captain Marcus Leric Jr Joseph. Brown was named the Man of the Match — a nod to a performance that also included a close-range attempt in the 80th minute that Kamaljit Singh brilliantly palmed away to preserve the draw. It was Real Kashmir's first goal of the 2026–27 IFL season.
Sreenidi's leveller was equally well-crafted. Portuguese playmaker Adriano Duarte Castanheira initiated the move, linking with defender Jagdeep Singh, who delivered a pinpoint cross for Castañeda to power a header past a helpless Susnata Malik.
How the Match Unfolded
Real Kashmir dominated the opening exchanges at their home ground, bossing midfield through Ningthoukhongjam Rohen Singh, Lalawmpuia Sailo (Omoma), and Mohit Mittal, with Under-22 forward Khullakpam Zahir Khan adding thrust in attack. A dangerous free-kick around the 10th minute, awarded right on the edge of the six-yard box, was survived by the Sreenidi backline of Pritam Kotal, Gurmukh Singh, Nishu Kumar, and Jagdeep Singh.
Sreenidi had a golden chance of their own shortly after, when skipper Castañeda broke behind the Real Kashmir defence — marshalled by Cameroonian Alain Eyenga and Shanid Valan — only for goalkeeper Susnata Malik to produce a brilliant point-blank save. The Snow Leopards' pressure, however, eventually told, and Brown's clinical finish in the 19th minute rewarded their dominance.
Sreenidi, anchored in midfield by Pronay Halder, struggled to find their rhythm in the first half and were largely confined to counter-attacks. A tactical adjustment at the break changed the dynamic, and within seven minutes of the restart, Castañeda's towering header had levelled proceedings.
Late Drama and Stoppage-Time Pressure
The final quarter saw Real Kashmir rediscover their earlier fluency. Brown came agonisingly close in the 80th minute from a corner, only to be denied by Kamaljit Singh's save of the match. The Snow Leopards pushed hard through five minutes of stoppage time, with Brown carving out yet another chance that he could not convert. Despite the late siege, Sreenidi's defence held firm.
Table Impact
The result moves Sreenidi Deccan up to third place in the IFL standings. Real Kashmir open their points account with this draw, climbing to eighth position and leapfrogging Samaleswari SC. The result underlines both teams' potential — and their need for sharper finishing — as the league season builds momentum.
Point of View
And Saturday's encounter showed why the Snow Leopards can be a threat at home — Brown's opener and his late surge were the work of a striker with genuine quality. Yet the result also exposes a familiar vulnerability: an inability to hold a lead once opponents make tactical adjustments. Sreenidi's half-time reset and Castañeda's clinical finish underline why the Hyderabad side are sitting third, while Real Kashmir, now eighth, must find a way to convert home dominance into wins if they are to climb the IFL table.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the Real Kashmir vs Sreenidi Deccan IFL 2026/27 match?
Real Kashmir FC and Sreenidi Deccan FC drew 1-1 at TRC Stadium in Srinagar on 7 November 2026. Thabiso Nelson Brown scored for the hosts in the 19th minute, with David Castañeda Muñoz equalising for Sreenidi in the 52nd minute.
Who scored in the Real Kashmir vs Sreenidi Deccan IFL match?
Lesotho forward Thabiso Nelson Brown scored for Real Kashmir in the 19th minute, and Colombian striker David Castañeda Muñoz equalised for Sreenidi Deccan in the 52nd minute with a headed goal.
Who was named Man of the Match in the IFL game at Srinagar?
Thabiso Nelson Brown of Real Kashmir was named Man of the Match. The Lesotho forward scored the opening goal and also came close to winning it late on, only to be denied by a brilliant save from Sreenidi goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh.
Where do Sreenidi Deccan and Real Kashmir stand in the IFL 2026-27 table after this result?
Sreenidi Deccan moved into third place in the IFL 2026–27 standings following the draw. Real Kashmir opened their points account to climb to eighth position, leapfrogging Samaleswari SC.
What is the IFL (Indian Football League)?
The Indian Football League (IFL) is a professional football competition in India. The 2026–27 edition features clubs from across the country, with Real Kashmir FC representing the Kashmir Valley and Sreenidi Deccan FC based in Hyderabad.
