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Debutants Real Kashmir FC who have captured the imagination of football fans across the country this 12th I-League season, will seek to give their adoring and rapturous fans a first win at home, as the youngsters of Indian Arrows come calling on Sunday, November 25. The game at the TRC turf ground in Srinagar begins at 2pm IST.
Scottish coach David Robertson’s Real Kashmir FC have fallen away a bit after a stunning away win in their opener against champions Minerva Punjab FC and have suffered back to back losses at home going into the Indian Arrows game, gathering four points thus far from four games.
The Indian Arrows too lost their last game to a clearly superior Mohun Bagan at home, but coach Floyd Pinto will take heart from the fact that his boys have looked the part and even pulled off a win against Shillong Lajong FC, another impressive young side of this edition. They have three points from as many games.
For the hosts, they need to find a way to convert possession into goals. They have been banking heavily on their Ivorian beanpole Gnohere Krizo to get them the goals but not only is that asking too much of one player, but it also makes them look one dimensional in their play and easy for their opponents to tactically outmanoeuvre them.
Coach Robertson seemed aware of the tough task at hand in the pre-game chat sharing, “It’s definitely not going to be a walk in the park for us. They have represented the country in the World Cup and other stages also. We have to be alert throughout. We are creating chances but the results aren’t coming our way. We have to put more effort into our finishing. Our midfielders, strikers are putting efforts but we need to do more I believe.”
The Indian Arrows are looking better with every game with Rahul KP leading the charge and the primary concern of coach Floyd Pinto will be for his boys to overcome the cold conditions, the artificial turf and the long rest of two weeks that his boys will be coming after.
“The experience has been good so far. It’s only the second year for these boys. We are more comfortable this year and they are expressing themselves in a better way as well,” said Floyd Pinto on the Indian Arrows performance so far.
Speaking on the Sunday game he seemed not too perturbed with the conditions saying, “This is a perfect weather for football. If you warm-up well, get acclimatised, you can run the whole day. This is much better than a hot humid one.”
He signed off saying, “People have been very warm and welcoming towards us. We thank every one of you for being so kind to us.”
