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Debutants Real Kashmir FC, currently placed fifth on the 12th I-League points table with 10 points from six games, will look to make the most of an extended home run when they take on a young and dangerous foreigner-less Shillong Lajong FC on Tuesday, December 11 at the TRC turf ground in Srinagar. The game is scheduled for a 2pm IST kick-off.
Real Kashmir FC will be playing their sixth home game on the trot before football returns to the cold Kashmir valley in end-January after a 47-day break. They have notched up two wins, one draw and two defeats in the five games so far and would be eager to get a third win against Shillong Lajong FC before they hit the road.
The visitors, who are placed 10th out of 11 teams after collecting a mere four points from seven games, are more dangerous than their position suggests and Real Kashmir FC will have to be at their very best to get a positive result against Alison Kharsyntiew’s young and talented side.
David Robertson, the home team’s Scottish coach will want his team to score more goals, to begin with, having registered just four so far. His go-to man for goals, Ivorian striker Gnohere Krizo, has struck just once in their opening win against champions Minerva Punjab FC and Ghanaian Abednedo Koffi is just about finding his feet after being drafted into the squad very recently.
Robertson has put together a tight defence though led by his son Mason Robertson and Nigerian Loveday Okechukwu, having conceded just three till date and that should hold them in good stead against a dangerous Shillong Lajong FC forward line which has scored nine times.
The coach reflected all those aspirations and concerns in the pre-game chat saying, “With two good wins, we managed to turn the chances in the goal. Tomorrow’s game is also a difficult game as every game is. We have to defend well.”
“It is the last home game in six weeks, so it is important to send our supporters home, happy with another win. Shillong score goals, they create chances and they concede goals as well. They are well organised, they got speed and they create chances.”
Alison Kharsyntiew’s problems stem from the I-League’s most profligate defence, probably where the inexperience of his young home-grown side is showing the most having conceded a massive 16 goals in their seven games.
Aibanbha Kupar has been the bulwark of the Shillong Lajong FC back four but the likes of Kharshong, Novin Gurung and Khongsit clearly need to step it up more. Their captain and midfield general Samuel Lalmuanpuia has a very talented attack line to play with and in Phrangki Buam, who has scored thrice so far, they have probably unearthed a future star.
Clearly enjoying the Real Kashmir FC experience, Alison looked in good spirits and eager to put up a good show disclosing in the pre-game chat, “It’s a different experience and very excited to play in Kashmir. The weather is not an issue for us, it’s almost the same as Shillong.”
“Hopefully, we will be playing a good game tomorrow. We will be looking to bounce back and our main objective is to win. But its difficult against Real Kashmir as they are a very good team,” he added.
Real Kashmir FC go into the game with a couple of wins under their belt while Shillong Lajong FC are coming off a home loss to NEROCA so the home side definitely have the advantage on all fronts. To add to that is added incentive of going up to third in the standings if a win comes their way.
