FOOTBALL | Inter Kashi gets it I-League trophy but loses Super Cup match

Inter Kashi’s wait for the I-League 2024-25 title ended after nearly seven months, when the All India Football Federation (AIFF) officially presented it the trophy, at the GMC Athletic Stadium here on Saturday.

Though the side lost in its final Super Cup match 2-0 to Jamshedpur FC, with goals from Raphael Messi Bouli and Manvir Singh, the Kashi camp was all smiles after the dead rubber.

The entire saga started in April when the AIFF declared Churchill Brothers champion, following Kashi’s deduction of points regarding the registration of Manuel Barco.

However, the Court of Arbitration of Sport ruled in favour of Kashi, declaring it the I-League winner in July. By then, the AIFF had awarded the trophy to Churchill, one that the Goan club is yet to return.

As a result, a freshly crafted trophy was given to Kashi, with the Federation’s deputy secretary general, M. Satyanaranan, and Goa Football Association’s president, Caitano Fernandes, presenting the medals.

It is Kashi’s maiden title, one that guarantees its spot in next season’s Indian Super League.

“For everybody in the club today, it’s probably the biggest day, even bigger than the day when we won the league, because it only shows, no matter what, in the end, truth prevails and the federation does what is right,” Prithiijit Das, the president of Kashi, told The Hindu.

The other dead rubber of the day in the Super Cup, between FC Goa and NorthEast United at the PJN Stadium in Margao, proved to be anything but boring, with a rollercoaster of goals in a 2-1 victory for the Highlanders.

Chema Nunez opened the scoring for NorthEast United, converting from an Alaaeddine Ajaraie pass after the hour mark, but Goa restored parity within four minutes with a strike from Sahil Tavora.

However, Robin Yadav’s header from an Andy Rodriguez cross in the 76th minute ensured NorthEast United had the last laugh.

The results: Inter Kashi 0 lost to Jamshedpur FC 2 (Messi Bouli 36, Manvir 81); FC Goa 1 ( Tavora 72) lost to NorthEast United 2 (Nunez 68, Robin 76’).