THOUSANDS TURN UP FOR REAL KASHMIR-MOHUN BAGAN CLASH
SRINAGAR: The winter chill didn’t dictate the atmosphere at TRC ground here on Sunday. It was electric as Real Kashmir played their second home match of the I-league season against Mohun Bagan.
Loud cheers rang out in the 10,000 capacity venue which was full while hundreds of security personnel outside struggled to control the young and the old who had been waiting outside the gates since morning. Around 6,000 attended the first match, in the 2-1 win over Chennai City FC and the organisers told the authorities they would sell the same number of tickets. For Sunday, only 2,500 tickets were sold but 12,000 turned up to watch the match, Real Kashmir co-owner Sandeep Chattoo, said. Over 3,000 more arrived outside the gates hoping to get in, but had to be turned away.
Suhail Ahmad, 33, had travelled 25 km from the militancy hotbed of Pulwama in south Kashmir. “This is my first time to watch a football match in a ground. I have never played football, but my experience was liberating. I saw people from far flung areas and it was more than fun,” said Ahmad, a teacher. B.tech student from uptown Srinagar, Arvi Amin, had come to ease her stress owing to the approaching exams. “I am feeling more lively and energetic. I want more games like these,” she said.
The only disappointment was Real Kashmir’s inability to maintain their tempo, losing 0-2 to Mohan Bagan. They beat Chennai City 2-1 here on December 26. “Though we’re disappointed Real Kashmir could not win, Bagan played well,” Amin said.
In the last match, authorities had asked the organisers to issue limited number of tickets due to the situation post August 5 after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was scrapped. This time, however, the enthusiasm of people won.
Mudasir Ahmad Bhat, who works in a private company, said: “No one is against sports here whatever the politics. Last year also there was great response from people; and even this season, people have reacted maturely. Football has a history here and there is also a lot of talent,” Bhat said. Real Kashmir have five points, from two draws in away matches, and a win and loss at home. Muzammil Shah, a college student from the northern district of Bandipora, said sports gave people some respite in a region affected by conflict.
“There is a lot of depression and anxiety here. For five months now, we are without internet. For weeks together there were restrictions to even move out or call anybody. Today I will shout and cheer,” said Shah as he waited in a long queue to enter the venue. Jan Mohammad, 62, a retired public health engineering department official from the city outskirts, was sad he could not get a ticket.
“I changed three buses to come here and root for Real Kashmir, but they are not selling tickets now. I won’t be able to see the match. What can be done,” he said, failing to persuade the policemen to let him have a glimpse inside. On its debut in I-league in 2018-19, Real Kashmir had finished a surprise third, after upsetting some established clubs. The team had great support at home last season too, 10,000 to 15,000 people turning up everytime despite the unrest in the valley.
THE TURNAROUND
Two minutes changed the course of the game as Mohan Bagan emerged winners with back-toback goals by Joseba Beitia and Nongdamba Naorem (72nd, 73rd min) sealing the game. “We’re very happy. It was a good game against a good team. We were better today. Our target was to win and we are on top of the table now,” said Bagan coach, Kibu Vicuna. Bagan, who lost to Churchill Brothers 4-2 at home, top the table with 10 points from three wins, a draw and defeat. They play Indian Arrows on Thursday.