Chennai to Kashmir, sport comes calling on Srinagar

Srinagar, December 25

There’s a Christmas and New Year gift for the people of Kashmir, as the capital city’s football team will host its first I-League home match of the season here tomorrow. The team’s home matches have always attracted large crowds in the past and there’s hope that tomorrow’s match, against defending champions Chennai City FC, will see heavy attendance.

Significantly, this will be the first big sporting event in the Valley since it became a Union Territory.

Two draws

Real Kashmir, who have so far played two matches this season, are looking for their first win. Their first two matches of the season ended in draws away from home — against Kolkata giants East Bengal and Tiddim Road Athletic Union football club (TRAU FC) of Imphal.

The ‘Snow Leopards’ had let a one-goal advantage slip in the final 13 minutes of both their matches, conceding equalisers in the 77th and 78th minutes against East Bengal and TRAU, respectively. In fact, TRAU FC went 2-1 up against Real Kashmir, and it took a Mason Robertson equaliser for the team to take away a point from the match in Imphal.

“In the second-half, TRAU had a go at us and we defended well,” Real Kashmir head coach David Robertson said. “We had a great chance when (Gnohere) Krizo was one-on-one with the keeper and we could have killed the game. In football, these things happen. I am proud of my players and we could have scored more.”

Slow Chennai City

Chennai City have made a slow start to their I-League campaign. They have secured just five points from four games, with their only victory coming against TRAU FC in their season opener at Coimbatore. Captain Roberto Eslava said, “We have shown intensity, so the points that we have dropped, have not been for the lack of it. We have shown this desire (to fight) in every game, and the next game against Kashmir won’t be any different.” — TNS, Agencies

Proud father

Mason Robertson’s impressive outing in Imphal asserted the value he brings to the Real Kashmir squad. His two-goal show featured a clinical finish that went in off the inside of the woodwork for his first and a textbook header that levelled the scores for his second.

Asked about his son’s performance, coach David Robertson said, “Mason is a valuable player. He is very versatile. We are lucky to have him at Real Kashmir. As a father, I am delighted for him plus it makes it easier to pick your son if he is doing well.”