Inter Kashi Makes a Dramatic Comeback in I-League 2023-24 with Late Goal from Gyamar Nikum

Jackichand Singh and Gyamar Nikum’s second half strikes help secure the comeback win over Churchill Brothers. (Image: I-League)

Second half strikes gave Inter Kashi the comeback win over Churchill Brothers to send them up to fifth on the table, level on points with Delhi FC.

The Round 5 I-League match between Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi was a tale of two halves. The first half belonged to Churchill Brothers. But Inter Kashi fought back valiantly after the break to win the match 2-1 at the Tilak Maidan in Goa on Friday, November 17, 2023.

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Inter Kashi’s second win on the trot took them to fifth place in the points table. They have seven points from four matches with two wins, one loss, and one draw. Churchill Brothers are eighth in the standings with four points after playing an identical number of matches. For the record, it was Churchill Brothers’ second consecutive loss.

Churchill Brothers’ though started the match with a positive intent and had as many as 10 attempts on goal compared to Inter Kashi’s zero shots on goal in the first half. Churchill took the lead in the 38th minute when their Uruguayan midfielder floated in a corner from the left. Most of the Inter Kashi defenders and goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya failed to judge the flight of the ball as the ball landed sweetly at the feet of Dichiara. The Argentinian forward didn’t make a mistake as he kept his cool to slot the ball home.

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Inter Kashi, though, soaked in all the pressure from Churchill in the first half. They regrouped and came back with a purpose and found the equalizer in the 52nd minute. Inter Kashi played a few quick passes to rattle the Churchill defense before the Spanish forward Mario Barco Vilar sent in a cross into the box from the left. Jackichand was in the right place at the right time to volley home and level the score.

Stung by the reverse, Churchill Brothers tried to rally on their home turf. Despite their efforts, the profligacy of their forwards proved costly. They managed 20 shots at the goal of Inter Kashi, who only took two shots. However, Inter Kashi capitalized on their opportunities.

Vilar was once again in the thick of the action when Inter Kashi scored the winner. The Spaniard dribbled past a Churchill defender on the left wing before deftly releasing Edmund Lalrindika. The midfielder went on to deliver a low cross into the Churchill box and Nikum made a brilliant run to strike the ball neatly into the back of the net. Inter Kashi held firm for the remainder of the match to notch up a fine win.