Churchill Brothers Football Club scripted a potential fairytale ending to their I-League campaign on Sunday by claiming a 1-1 draw against Real Kashmir in Srinagar, a result that placed them provisionally at the top of the league table and opened the door to a return to top-flight football after over a decade.
With the draw, the Goan side amassed 40 points from 22 matches, enough to momentarily sit atop the I-League standings and earn promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) — becoming only the second club from Goa after FC Goa to enter India’s premier football division.
The Red Machines, who last lifted the I-League trophy in 2012-13, were seeking their third overall title and came into the match knowing that a win in Srinagar — something no team had managed all season — would seal the crown. Despite an early setback, they came close.
Real Kashmir struck first through Lalramsanga in the 7th minute, igniting hopes of an upset. But Churchill’s Rafiq Aminu equalised five minutes into the second half to level the score and hold on for a crucial point. Real Kashmir wrapped up their campaign in third place with 37 points.
However, Churchill Brothers’ celebrations remain on hold, as the title race is not officially over. Their championship status is provisional, pending a final decision by the All India Football Federation’s Appeals Committee.
Inter Kashi, who concluded their season with a 3-1 win over Rajasthan United, currently sit second with 39 points from 22 matches. The club is awaiting a ruling regarding their match against Namdhari FC, in which Namdhari allegedly fielded an ineligible player. Should the Appeals Committee award Inter Kashi at least two points from that match, the Varanasi-based outfit would leapfrog Churchill to claim their maiden I-League title.
Despite the uncertainty, Churchill’s manager expressed cautious optimism, saying, “We’ve done what we could on the pitch. Now we wait. We’re proud of this team and what they’ve achieved.”
As football fans across the country await the final decision, the I-League title race has turned into an off-field drama, where paperwork could determine glory. For now, Churchill Brothers can take pride in a season marked by resilience, history, and the possibility of a long-awaited return to Indian football’s top tier.
