If football is a theatre of emotions, then the Raia Panchayat ground on Sunday, March 30, 2025, served as the grand stage for a drama that will be etched in the memories of the 8,257 fans who witnessed it.
Churchill Brothers and Inter Kashi delivered not just a match, but an epic saga that ended in a 2-2 draw. It was a battle for the unyielding pursuit of glory and none could have it.
The stakes couldn’t have been higher. With the Indian Super League (ISL) qualification hanging in the balance, both teams entered the pitch for battle royale.
The heat and humidity of the day wasn’t the only thing scorching the atmosphere; the intensity of the game kept the temperature rising with every tackle and every challenge.
From the very first whistle, it was clear this was not going to be a mere contest of skills—it was a battle of wills. Churchill Brothers, buoyed by the roaring support of their home crowd, set the tone early, but the aggression soon spilled over into rough tackles.
The first yellow card came in the 5th minute to Wayde Lekay, signalling a game that would be anything but clean. By the end, seven yellow cards and two red cards painted a picture of a fierce, uncompromising encounter.
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams displaying attacking intent but lacking the clinical finish. Inter Kashi’s Prasanth Karuthadathkuni had a golden opportunity in the 25th minute, unmarked and with only the goalkeeper to beat. But his weak ground shot brushed the post—an opportunity that could have changed the course of the game.
Churchill’s Jose Moreno also had a chance in the 34th minute, but his attempt went wide. The first half ended in a 0-0 stalemate, the tension simmering like a pressure cooker ready to explode.
And explode it did in the second half. Churchill finally broke the deadlock in the 57th minute when Jose Moreno rose above the defenders to meet Gutierrez’s precise free-kick, nodding it past the goalkeeper. The roar from the crowd was deafening.
But Inter Kashi wasn’t done. They responded with the resilience of warriors. In the 63rd minute, Edmund Lalrindika equalised, showcasing the composure that defined his performance in the game.
If that wasn't enough, just two minutes later, Nikola Stojanovic capitalised on a goalkeeping blunder to put Inter Kashi ahead 2-1. The goalkeeper, caught off position, couldn’t prevent the long shot from Nikola going into the net.
However, the spirit of Churchill Brothers, buoyed by the home crowd, was not broken. They surged forward, relentless in their quest for a comeback. The final 15 minutes saw desperate attacks, relentless pressure, and heart-stopping moments.
Trijoy Dias had a golden chance in the 90th minute, but his close-range effort went begging. When it looked like it was over for Churchill Brothers hope sprung through a set piece in the dying minutes.
The shot, which was well taken by Lalremruata, landed in the far corner of goal after hitting the post. However, Inter Kashi protested vigorously saying the ball had brushed Jose Moreno's hands before entering the net. After the referee deliberated with the linesman, the goal was allowed and Churchill fans rejoiced.
When the final whistle blew, the score was locked at 2-2. Two red cards added to the drama at the end. The real highlight was Churchill coach Dimitris Dimitriou running the length of the pitch to thank the fans.
But that probably wasn't the winning run and Churchill Brothers have more to do as the ISL qualification race is far from over. Both teams are locked at 39 points after 21 games, keeping the title race wide open.