For the first time in its history, a Kashmir based football club has qualified for the final round of the Hero I-League 2nd Division.
Srinagar based Real Kashmir Football Club did this on Sunday in style after remaining unbeaten and topping their group in Round 1 campaign of 10 matches.
The group had local rivals Lonestar Kashmir FC, Delhi United, Hindustan FC, Delhi Dynamos (Reserves) and FC Pune City (Reserves).
“Coached by Rangers FC legend, David Robertson, the Real Kashmir team is the most religiously diverse team in India and more importantly, in these times, based in of Kashmir,” said Shamim Mehraj, co-owner of the club.
“We have local Kashmiri Muslims boys, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and also Buddhists. Few other teams in India can claim such diversity,” he added.
“Real Kashmir going all the way is an achievement as Kashmir is the most difficult place in India to run a club because everything is so uncertain here.
“We are only a two-year old club and for a new club to compete with old timers is a huge privilege.”
Formed in April 2016 Real Kashmir is one of the two I-League clubs in the Valley.
The final round slated to be held in Bengaluru from 24 May will have old established teams like Ozone FC from Bangalore, TRAU from Northeast and Hindustan FC from New Delhi apart from Real Kashmir.
The winner will go on to be promoted to the I-league 1 where likes of East Bengal and Mohun Bagan ply their trade.
Playing its last match of the season, unbeaten Real Kashmir FC emerged winner by a solitary goal against hosts. The all important goal for Real Kashmir was scored by Kouassi Yao in 21st minute of the game. Unlike past when Real Kashmir FC has been complacent and gave away early initiatives, this time team they defended well to hang for the win.
With this win Real Kashmir FC finished group on top of the table with 22 points and qualified for next round. In the Group-A, Real Kashmir remained unbeaten after having played 10 matches. They were able to win six and draw 4.
In Group-A, Real was fighting with Hindustan FC for the qualification with both teams tied on same points. With better goal average Real was on top of table and everything depended on last match. Real won its match but Hindustan FC match was cancelled due to storm. Owing to that Real Kashmir finished with 22 points while as Hindustan FC finished with 20 points.
From Group-A, Real Kashmir automatically got through to main round while as Hindustan FC got through by finishing with better points among three qualifying group. From other two groups Ozone FC Bengaluru qualified from Group-B while as Tiddim Road Athletic Union Football Club qualified from Group-C.
Main round fixture of the league was announced on Tuesday with four teams vying for the qualification into I-League. The matches would be held from May 24 at Bengaluru. Real will play its first match against Ozone FC on May 24.