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Real Kashmir's semi-final run in Durand Cup is silver lining amid troubled times of 370
While footballing giants like East Bengal and Mohun Bagan were the hot favourites to claim the top honours at the 129th Durand Cup this year, the cynosure of eyes remained Real Kashmir FC who scripted a fairytale tale run into the semi-final of the tournament. Known as the snow leopards, Real Kashmir showed true resilience in the face of adversity as the team members reeled under the pressure of troubled times back at their homes in Kashmir.
In the semi-final, RKFC showed a spirited display after taking the proceedings to the extra time following a last-minute equaliser from Gnohere Krizo. Although the Mariners got better off RKFC following VP Suhair's brace in extra-time to take the scoreline to 3-1 and securing a berth in the final, the team from the Valley can be proud of their impressive haul at the Durand Cup with so many positive takeaways surmounting the brewing pressure.
The David Richardson-coached side did not take part in a pre-season back home due to a tensed political situation in the Valley. Besides, the team had to travel from Srinagar to Kolkata on the day the Centre announced the withdrawal of special 370 status to Jammu & Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories.
Their day of departure from Srinagar coincided with the crackdown by the Indian government, involving beefing up of security in the Valley with the arrival of tens of thousands more troops, detention of local leaders and activists and the severing of phone and internet links, and a curfew-like ban on most movement by local residents.
The team, based out of one of the world's the most millitiarised quarters where stone-pelting and gunfires are regular occurrences, qualified for semifinals by topping the group thus bears the testament of their grit and determination.
Gripped by a sense of anxiety about peeps back home, the RKFC players and support staff tried to settle down for their new task more than 2300 kilometres away. In their opening game of the Durand Cup they registered a 1-0 victory over I-League champions Chennai City FC through a last-minute solitary goal coming from Danish Farooq. He dedicated his goal to his entire team members, support staff and owners in the moment of volatility.
In their second Group C match, RKFC pulled off a dominating 4-0 victory over Army Green, who resorted to unfair tactics ending up with three men being showed red cards. A brace by Chesterpaul Lyngdoh, alongside goals by Singam Subash Singh and Vicky Meitei gave RKFC a convincing victory.
Backed by two consecutive wins, RKFC made their dream run to the semi-final of India's oldest football tournament even after finishing their group-stage match with a goalless draw against Goa.
The recent developments in Kashmir cast a doubt on the possibility of conducting I-League matches there in the coming season. And the club authorities might approach the AIFF with a request to defer RKFC's home matches in the I-League towards the back end of the year. Meanwhile, they are planning to conduct a pre-season either in Mumbai or Jamshedpur.
True to the spirit of Kashmir, the RKFC thrives among hostility and seek to leave a big impact in Indian football.
