Hosts Real Kashmir Football Club who are in title race will be taking on struggling Gokulam Kerala FC in the I-League match at TRC Turf Ground here on Wednesday.
While Real Kashmir FC are is in title race, Kerala side has been struggling off late and find themselves one place above bottom-placed side in points table.
Despite being at opposing end of the points table, the Wednesday clash is going to be important for both. While Real Kashmir is fighting for title and can’t afford to slip, Kerala side is fighting to avoid getting relegated.
Under coach David Robertson, Real Kashmir have been in exceptional form in their debut season of I-League. They come into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw against fellow title challengers Churchill Brothers in Goa. Real Kashmir have beaten table-toppers Chennai City twice and have drawn against Churchill Brothers twice. They have also held East Bengal once in Kolkata. That sums up their story as they have played well against title contenders.
In the previous game Real Kashmir missed the services of star strikers Gnohere Krizo and Abednego Tetteh due to suspensions in last game but both the players are likely to return against Gokulam.
Meanwhile Gokulam Kerala have got two satisfactory outcomes under its new technical director Gift Raikhan. They have managed two draws in as many matches. They are fighting for the survival and Real Kashmir can’t expect to take them lightly.
Speaking during the pre-match press conference Gokulam Kerala FC Technical Director said that they aim on to kill the host’s winning momentum.
“This is interesting time in league as Real Kashmir is running for the championship while as we are running to save ourselves from relegation. These are two different aspects but both are there to fight and get better of the opposite side,” said Gift Raikhan.
Real Kashmir coach David Robertson said that there is no pressure of being in title race for his side and they take it game by game.