The real Kashmir held, Kashmir wins

According to official figures, 10,521 attended in the first match of Ligue 1 in Kashmir. (AIFF Photo)

Everything was as perfect as perfect can be. Even nature played ball – after a few cold days, the sun finally decided to show itself. But at the time of the kickoff, the organizers had forgotten one of the most important things: the game kits. "We've done everything in recent days, but we've forgotten our kits," smiles David. Robertson, the coach of Real Kashmir.

However, overcoming all the hiccups, big and small, Real Kashmir made his home debut against Churchill Brothers a great day for football. Just a few days ago, the ground of the TRC was wrapped in snow. Tuesday was bathed in sunshine in the shadow of a mosque and Shankaracharya – structures that add to the symbolism that has become synonymous with this club. The wild beauty is enhanced only by the snow-covered hills, which glitter in the sun on one side and the flaming red Chinar on the other. And of course, men in uniform, ubiquitous and armed, providing unprecedented security protection for a Ligue 1 game.

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Just two days ago, the stadium looked like this. From the viewer's point of view, it was much better. The players would not be complaining today, though #snow #kashmir #IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/vQfTPCf7GV

– Mihir Vasavda (@ mihirsv) 6 November 2018

The match, alas, was not as dramatic as the scenery. It was a draw with no purpose and sometimes had slight moments of excitement. But then it was not just football. It was to show that Kashmir can also organize a match of some importance. This is a generation of Kashmiri players who have suffered the consequences of the unstable situation of the valley. The aim was to revive the hopes of a state by using football as a means of play.

Real Kashmir's victory would, of course, have led to unimaginable celebrations. When the team won the title of second division in Bangalore, thousands of people had to invade the streets to welcome their heroes. But the curfew was imposed and the players marched through the deserted streets of Srinagar.

They wanted to catch up with him today. But strangely, the day of the match was rather lukewarm.

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The stadium was largely empty one hour before the kick off. barely 500 fans were, actually. We began to wonder if the organizers had exaggerated the hype. Some, however, had made trips from distant countries for just one game. Obaid Mir had traveled 80 km from a village located near Pulwama. He arrives at the stadium an hour earlier than planned and sits just under the TV tower in the Farooq Ahmed booth. Whether by design or pure coincidence, it was easy to rank the fans according to the stand they occupied.

Those at the Shafi Nari booth, next to the locker rooms, were teenagers singing club songs and orchestrating choreographed movements. singing tirelessly for 90 minutes. In Majeed Kakroo's stand, behind the goalpost, were restless and ruthless people; those who express their frustration on the stands of football stadiums.

Every contact of Churchill was greeted with boos. An atmosphere so surreal that Robertson compared it to terraces in Scotland. (PTI Photo)

All the keys of Churchill were greeted. Their own players are not spared either. Kashmiris are generous hosts. But this courtesy has not spread on the ground, where hostilities resume when the referee whistles.

An atmosphere so surreal that Robertson compared it to Scottish terraces. "It reminds me of the crowd at Celtic and the Rangers," said Glasgow Rangers legend.

The late deceased Farooq Ahmed Stand, where Mir was seated, is the meeting place of the elders. They are here mainly for football, regardless of the direction in which the result oscillates. "Football is our only pbadion," he said while others around him nodded. To illustrate his point, Mir told a story from the '60s. "I do not know how true that is," he began with a warning, "but I've heard that in In the 1960s, about 10,000 people came to the Bakshi stadium with lanterns in hand to power in the evening.Imagine the show! "

Now, the show at the stadium also went back. Suddenly, in the last few minutes, thousands of people had crossed the tiny metal door, pbading through three levels of security within 50 meters between the front doors and the stands, according to official figures, 10,521 people were present at the kickoff of the first match of the I-League in Kashmir

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Danish Farooq, the gray with the Persian features and a crowd favorite, Churchill's supporters were in tatters (AIFF Photo)

Robertson's team may not be the most talented in the I-League. But Robertson's Davids are certainly the most stubborn group you'll meet. They are brawlers who do not fear a tackle. The fighters – as Robertson describes them – will leave everything on the ground.

Muhammad Hammad, a cricketer turned footballer, will not allow any center from the left. Danish Farooq, the gray-eyed striker with Persian features and a crowd favorite, ran the Churchill supporters in rags. And in goal, Bilal Husain Khan would not let anything pbad him. Foreigners have imposed themselves physically. Bazie Armand, the Ivorian player, led the midfielder with the help of his muscular frame, while Scottish defender Mason Robertson, the coach's son, won almost every aerial battle.

The Churchill brothers fear nothing. In fact, they are among the big favorites to win the title this season and have also played as one of the first exchanges. But Kashmir, playing only their second match at this level, forced them to make rash decisions. Like the incident in the 37th minute, when Zambian Kashmir striker Aaron Katebe broke the defense line with a well-timed time in which he battled goalkeeper James Kithan. Kithan rushed off the surface to close Katebe 's angle but, in the heat of the action, he stopped the ball with his hand and shot down the attacker. Referee Tanmoy Dhar was not hesitant about throwing the red card, leaving Churchill with 10 men and almost an hour to play.

This Kashmir could not enjoy it, but because of their debauchery at the back. Gnohere Krizo has consistently taken good positions, but hit the post several times. On other occasions, he was slow to pull the trigger or just desperately away from the goal. His performance angered those at the Kakroo tribune with slogans of "khar … khar!" (A donkey in the local language) directed at him several times. For starters, one may wonder if Robertson will want to focus on this aspect on his own. Against Minerva Punjab too, their waste in the attacking third was screaming. Against larger teams and more difficult defenses, Kashmir's task will only get worse.

But on Tuesday, they did not complain. They were just happy to play at home again.

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