2024-25 I-League season is wrapped … Ok, like. You know that a team – when a team – in this case ends as leaders at the end of the Churchill Brothers – League, but despite this, cannot celebrate the final whistle of their previous league match.
Churchill finished with 40 points after playing a fierce draw with Real Kashmir on Sunday at the conclusion of the season. They do not yet know if they have won the title, because the difference Kashi – whose 39 -digit tally has a starving around it – can still be crowned the champion.
Why? The disputed clash of Kashi against Namdari FC is being reviewed by the AIFF Appeal Committee. Namdhari allegedly fielded an unqualified player. If the ruling goes on the way to Kashi, they will be given three points, they will be taken to 42 and the title will be taken away from Churchill’s nose.
Incredible closing
In a country where the top-most League-Indian Super League-O has no allegation, someone has to appreciate the fight that offers a second-tier i-league, where the winner receives the final award; A ticket for ISL. That is why, the days of the last match, the hearts were getting faster, and the calculators were out.
Four teams were still hunt: Churchill Brothers, Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala. On paper, the churchill brothers had the most obvious path. Top in the table with a round gap in their side, they just had to do so much. But Curchill was placed 1–1 in Srinagar, facing a rock-solid real Kashmir side who was not defeated at home throughout the season. And they only have to blame themselves. A missed penalty, a pair of easy opportunities wide from the close range, a close penalty call was not given.
Nevertheless, it seemed that it could be enough. In Goa, Gokulam Kerala was a few seconds away from keeping its title dream alive-until Christian ROA did not pop up with the 94th minute dagger for ROA Dempo, sealed a 4-3 thriller and crushed Kerala’s hopes.
But … hold the confede. Enter inter kashi
To talk about the appeal committee’s decision, he had to win his final match against Rajasthan United. By the 93rd minute, it was leaving for a draw, in which David Humis tied the teams on a 1–1 equal before being ranked 93rd. Matija Babovic then kept the game beyond all doubt, causing it to 3–1 in the 97th minute, leading to expected, crazy ceremony on the final whistle. They know that they can be well champions and play in ISL in the next session.
Since coming to the I-League, in just two years, Kashi has broken hopes, which brings a thrilling and strategic brand of football at the forefront. Under the leadership of Antonio Lopez Habas, the most decorated coach in ISL history, the team has displayed the great strategic game and sometimes a dictatorial attitude. It is not just a gusto, but also a great strategic plan. He has raised the standard of competition in the I-League, such as professionalism, Bengaluru FC brought to India in 2013 with his establishment.
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This will be quite achievement if they win and become the first team from Uttar Pradesh to play in ISL. They have to wait 22 days, though. The appeal committee is set to meet next time on 28 April. The final whistle has not flew yet.
© The Indian Express Private Limited
