Buoyant Real Kashmir all set for historic home debut
Real Kashmir have ticked off several boxes this year in a list of firsts. They will check one more box on Tuesday when they host Goa’s club Churchill Brothers at the TRC turf ground in Srinagar.
Hopes, expectations and emotions will be high for the first Kashmiri club to play I-League following its remarkable triumph over Minerva Punjab last Wednesday in Panchkula.
In what has been the biggest upset of the 12th edition of the tournament yet, a solitary Gnohere Krizo strike in the 74th minute was enough to give the debutants a dream win over the defending champions. This was the first occasion in the history of I-League when a debutant team overwhelmed the defending champions.
Courtesy that victory, the fairytale continued for the David Robertson-coached club who are now third in the 11-team standings. This is after the club earned a promotion to the 2018-19 I-League in only two years of its inception, following their victory in the 2017-18 I-League second division.
And the debutants have a strong chance of building on their win as they face Churchill Brothers, who are yet to taste success after drawing both their matches so far and are sixth in the points table.
Churchill Brothers have done well to remain unbeaten,
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having played both games away.
They opened with a 0-0 draw against Minerva Punjab on October 28 followed by a 2-2 stalemate against Chennai City in Coimbatore.
With Srinagar receiving snowfall for the first time in November in nine years, the weather could play into the hands of the locals as the Goans are not used to the chilling temperatures.
“It’s going to be another day in history as we are playing our first home match. My team is excited as well as focused. It will be difficult for both the teams because of the weather conditions. Like Churchill, we also have players from all over the country,” said Robertson.
Real Kashmir began with a defensive approach against Minerva and are likely to do the same come Tuesday.
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