Centenary-old Mohammedan Sports Club clinched their maiden I-League title on Saturday as they defeated Shillong Rashid FC 2-1 in their penultimate match on Saturday, a result that also saw them promoted to the top-flight Indian Premier League. Alexis Gomez gave Mohammedan Sporting the lead in the first minute before home team Douglas Tadin equalized in the 15th minute. Evgeny Kozlov scored the decisive goal for Mohammadspor in the 62nd minute.

With this win, Mohammedanspor have taken 52 points from 23 games with one game remaining. They are eight points ahead of second-placed Sreneedhi Deccan (44 points from 22 games). Even if Srinidhi Deccan won the remaining two games, they would not be able to catch Mohammedan Sporting.

Kolkata FC’s path to the I-League title got easier as NEROCA FC held Sreenidi Deccan FC to a 1-1 draw here on Thursday.

Kolkata’s three teams will play in India’s top league, the ISL, next season if Mohammad Sports are deemed to meet the Tier 1 criteria for the Indian Club Licensing. Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are the other two teams in Kolkata.

Confident of meeting all the required criteria to participate in the ISL, club president Amiruddin Bobby said they are gearing up to join the top flight next season.

This also completed the golden treble for the Meydan trio, as the season saw East Bengal win the Super Cup, followed by Mohun Bagan’s Durand Trophy triumph. They are also in contention for the ISL Shield and the title.

“First of all, we thank the supporters, our Russian coach (Andrei Chernyshov) and the officials for having faith in this team, this has been a historic journey for us and we also thank our All support from the Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee). We will meet all the criteria to play in the ISL next season,” Bobby told PTI.

Mohammedspor veteran Dipendu Biswas, who is now the club’s football secretary, was overjoyed and dedicated it to their supporters.

“This victory belongs to our supporters. We have our biggest supporters at Independence Square but we still cannot play in the top flight. So, this victory belongs to them,” said Bi, who scored a hat-trick for the Kolkata League title. Swas said. team.

Kolkata’s third-biggest club Mohammedan Sporting, runners-up in the 2021-22 I-League, enter Saturday’s match after a 1-1 draw with Inter Kashgar. They were unbeaten in their last 10 games before Saturday.

Alexis scored for the eventual champions in the first minute and Douglas Rosa Tardin equalized for the home side in the 15th minute. Evgeni Kozlov scored the winning goal for Mohamed in the second half to secure the title.

The equation is simple. Mohammedanspor need a point to secure their maiden I-League title. But it will never be a walk in the park.

Shillong Rams have performed well this season but sit comfortably in seventh place in the I-League as a mid-table team with 31 points from 23 games. But their added motivation to play disruptive games against top teams was on full display.

Mohammedanspor did something to calm their nerves, at least in the opening game. Their Argentine striker Alexis Gomez created a moment of magic in the first minute when he spotted Lajon goalkeeper Neitho Chalieu straying off the goal line and marking from midfield Nei cut the ball into the goal, the ball flew over the goalkeeper’s head and fell into the goal. net.

The task seemed half accomplished, but a lot can happen in 90 minutes and from the looks of the rest of the first half, it was clear that one goal wasn’t going to be enough for the Black and White Brigade.

It took just a quarter of an hour for Shillong to get back into the game, with Douglas Tutting’s penalty making it 1-1. For Muhammad, this was still enough.

However, Lajon put pressure on the table in the first half and their back four struggled. Tadin and former Mohammedan Sporting player Phrangki Buam hit the woodwork.

In another blow for Mohammedanspor, their goalscorer Gomez limped off injured and was eventually replaced by Kozlov.

Rajon right back Ronney Wilson Kharbudon had a great chance to give his team the lead when Tardin’s kick went through the goal and the former only had to tip the ball over Just enter the empty door. The Muslim camp breathed a sigh of relief when he side-footed the ball inches wide.

Mohammedan Sporting goalkeeper Padam Chettri made a fine save to deny Marcos Rudwere’s close-range shot before the first-half break to maintain the tie. draw.

The home side started the second half on the same tempo, but the top team controlled the situation well. They stayed and waited for the opportunity that would soon arise.

Kozlov, who came on as a first-half substitute, took advantage of a clearance opportunity and found himself in the box, leaving only the goalkeeper to beat, which he then did. Finally, the Black and White Brigade had a chance to breathe.

Through a collective effort from the team, Mohammedan Sporting’s defenders made an absolute comeback in stoppage time. Joseph Adjei showed great anticipation as he positioned himself next to goalkeeper Chettri when Lajong’s Kynsaibor Lhud pulled the trigger. Aje simply kicked the effort away to give Muhammad his 15th win of the season.