Snow Leopards roar at home
Srinagar, December 26
Taking advantage of the home conditions, Real Kashmir today stunned defending champions Chennai City 2-1 to score their first victory of the ongoing I-League season, as sporting action returned to the Valley after four months.
Danish Farooq (22nd minute) and Ivory Coast’s Bazie Armand (27th) struck for the winners, while Syed Suhail Pasha (48th) was the lone scorer for the visitors.
Real Kashmir had drawn their away matches against Kolkata giants East Bengal and Imphal’s Tiddim Road Athletic Union (TRAU) before taking on the holders in front of a packed TRC Ground. The win takes Real Kashmir to seventh place in the standings with five points, while the defending champions drop to eighth place with an inferior goal difference. Local lad Farooq was adjudged the Player of the Match.
RKFC coach David Robertson thanked the home crowd for the support. “This game is a good thing to happen and we have to keep up the momentum. It was nice to play at home and get three points. We thank the supporters…. our boys are robust and know how to overcome difficulties,” Robertson said.
Commenting on his team’s victory, Real Kashmir co-founder Sandeep Chattoo said: “It was a splendid win and we did it for Kashmir. The coach and the team ensured that every Kashmiri returned with a smile today.”
Chattoo thanked the people of the Valley for turning up in large numbers in support of RKFC despite chilling winter. Two matches had to be cancelled earlier due to bad weather conditions.
The match was the first sports event in the Valley after the centre withdrew special status of Jammu and Kashmir. “The love of the Kashmiris for football was seen at its peak as the entire stadium was packed,” Farooq Khan, advisor to Lt Governor GC Murmu, said. He was among the spectators.
Many fans return dejected
A large number of fans, however, had to return dejected as they were not able to watch the game. Hundreds of fans were left disappointed on knowing that the entry to the fixture was no more free of cost. Although many fans were let in after they purchased the tickets (Rs 50 each), the security apparatus then restricted a number of people from entering the stadium. RKFC officials said more than 2000 fans watched the match. — TNS, PTI
