Inter Kashi pull off stunning he, Churchill finish with a draw, but champions not decided yet
The 2024-25 I-League season has wrapped up… well, sort of. You know things aren’t ideal when a team – in this case Churchill Brothers – finish as leaders at the end of the league, but despite that, cannot celebrate at the final whle of their last league match.Churchill finished with 40 points after playing out a fiery draw with Real Kashmir on Sunday in the season finale. They don’t know yet if they have won the title though, because Inter Kashi – whose tally of 39 points has an asterisk around it – could still be crowned champions.
Why? Kashi’s disputed clash against Namdhari FC is under review the AIFF Appeal Committee. Namdhari allegedly fielded an ineligible player. If the ruling goes Kashi’s way, they’ll be awarded three points, taking them to 42 and snatching the title right out from under Churchill’s nose.
Incredible finale
In a country where the top-most league – the Indian Super League – doesn’t have relegation, one has to appreciate the fight that the second-tier I-League provides, where the winner gets the ultimate prize; a ticket to the ISL. That’s why, on the final match day, hearts were pounding, and calculators were out.
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Four teams were still in the hunt: Churchill Brothers, Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir, and Gokulam Kerala. On paper, Churchill Brothers had the clearest path. Top of the table with goal difference in their favour, all they had to do was win. But facing a rock-solid Real Kashmir side that hadn’t lost at home all season, Churchill were held to a tense 1-1 draw in Srinagar. And they have only themselves to blame. A missed penalty, a couple of easy chances sent wide from close range, a close penalty call not given.
Still, it looked like it might be enough. Over in Goa, Gokulam Kerala were seconds away from keeping their title dream alive — until Crian Roa popped up with a 94th-minute dagger for Dempo, sealing a 4-3 thriller and crushing Kerala’s hopes.
But… hold the confetti. Enter Inter Kashi
For the Appeals Committee’s decision to even matter, they had to win their final match against Rajasthan United. Till the 93rd minute, it was heading for a draw, with the teams tied at 1-1 before David Humanes put Kashi ahead in the 93rd. Matija Babovic then put the game beyond all doubt, making it 3-1 in the 97th minute to spark hopeful, crazy celebrations at the final whle. They know they could well be champions and play in the ISL next season.
In just two years since they arrived in the I-League, Kashi have shattered expectations, bringing a thrilling and tactical brand of football to the forefront. Led Antonio Lopez Habas, the most decorated coach in ISL hory, the team has displayed great tactical play and a never-say-die attitude. It’s not just gusto but great strategic planning too. They’ve elevated the standard of competition in the I-League, much like the professionalism Bengaluru FC brought to India with their inception in 2013.Story continues below this ad
It will be quite an achievement if they win and become the first team from Uttar Pradesh to play in the ISL. They will have to wait 22 days, though. The Appeals Committee is set to meet next on April 28. The final whle hasn’t blown just yet.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
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