Real Kashmir FC became first football club from Jammu & Kashmir to qualify for the I-League after defeating Hindustan FC 3-2 in the final game to win 2017-18 2nd Division title, at Bengaluru.
Real Kashmir FC became first football club from Jammu & Kashmir to qualify for the I-League after defeating Hindustan FC 3-2 in the final game to win 2017-18 2nd Division title, at Bengaluru.
Ifham Tariq Mir (22'), Danish Farooq (42'), and Nadong Bhutia (67') scored for Real Kashmir that needed only a draw to get a spot in I-League. Kushant Chauhan of Hindustan FC scored twice but that wasn't enough to win the game.
More experience Hindustan FC from Delhi started aggressively with Nikhil Gehlot getting close to the box in the 17th minute. But Pawan Pratap Singh missed the opportunity to score with a header. Within five minutes Real Kashmir took charge and Ifham scored the first goal of the game. Kushant scored for Hindustan FC in the 34th minute with an assist from Nikhil.
With Danish's goal, Real Kashmir were leading 2-1 in the first half. When the game resumed, roles were reversed and Real Kashmir looked in full control. Nadong scored in the 67th minute to take the lead 3-1. Kushant managed to score his second goal for Hindustan FC in the 80th minute. But that was all they could manage.
"For a club of our size and budget, I’d never thought at the start that we’d qualify. It’s a miracle… a fairytale," Real Kashmir's coach David Robertson told Indian Express.
This is the first time in the 22 years of professional football in India that a club from the valley has qualified to play in the big leagues.
"I think this victory is a tribute to the people, especially the young men of Kashmir who refuse to give up despite all that is going on there," Shamim Meraj, owner of Real Kashmir FC, told ESPN. "And I think finally Kashmir has something they can own and cheer for at the highest possible level in India."
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