Real Kashmir beat Hindustan FC, achieve promotion to I-league
BANGALORE: Real Kashmir FC secured promotion to the I-league, having clinched the 2nd Division League title on Wednesday beating Delhi’s Hindustan FC. David Robertson’s side only needed a point to advance on the final day of the season. But the team from Kashmir produced a clinical show to win 3-2.
Real Kashmir scored through Ifham Tariq Mir (22), Danish Farooq (42) and Nadong Bhutia (67) while Kushant Chauhan (34, 80) was on target for Hindustan.
Hindustan went all out right from the start as nothing shy of a win could have earned them promotion.
They created the first threat in the 17th minute when Nikhil Gehlot delivered a free-kick into the box, but Pawan Pratap Singh was unable to hit the target with his header.
Real Kashmir took the lead five minutes later through Ifham, who collected a pass from Danish before calmly slotting past Mithun Samonto under the Hindustan bar.
Hindustan came close to equalising in the 28th minute when Loveday Enyinnaya lost possession inside the box, but Kushant’s shot went wide.
Kushant, however, redeemed himself by scoring the equaliser in the 34th. He latched onto a loose ball in the box to slot home.
Real Kashmir restored their lead three minutes before halftime when a swift counter allowed Danish the easiest of tapins. Real Kashmir had further chances to add to their tally in stoppage time, but failed.
Real Kashmir made it 3-1 in the 67th minute when substitute Nadong scored from Ifham’s pass. Hindustan FC, went all out in the final quarter and were rewarded with a goal in the 80thminute courtesy Kushant. But that was all they could manage as Real Kashmir thereafter managed to hold on to secure promotion in the I-league.