Punjab have Real Kashmir problem
Panchkula, Oct. 30: Real Kashmir FC’s day of reckoning arrives on Wednesday when they take on defending champions Minerva Punjab in their debut I- League match here.
The Kashmir Valley’s first team to qualify for the I- League will get a first taste of country’s top- flight competition in what is a clash between champions of first and second tiers of Indian club football.
The Srinagar- based Real Kashmir won the second division league to make it to the top tier while Minerva lifted their maiden crown of the previous season.
The Punjab side would begin as favourites in Wednesday’s match at the Tau Devi Lal stadium but it will not be an easy outing for them against their opponents, coached by former
Scottish international David Robertson who had played top flight football in his own country and had managerial level assignments in other countries.
The Real Kashmir team has been waiting for this moment since winning the second division league earlier this year and they have even roped in global sportswear major Adidas as their kit sponsor in a coup of sorts to boost their confidence.
They have nothing to lose from Wednesday’s match as they will only gain experience as the league progresses further.
Robertson said his players were raring to go and experience the big moment.
“We have been waiting for five months for this day to come. We are excited to face the defending champions as well as we have to remember the home ground advantage they have. We have a young and confident team with experienced players as well as some local Kashmiri who have played in I- League before,” he said at the prematch press conference.
Minerva, on the other hand, are going into the game after playing a goalless draw encounter against Goa’s Churchill Brothers at the same venue.
Interestingly, it will be a battle between two British managers since Irishman Paul Munster will be at the helm for Minerva. — PTI