The formation of Real Kashmir in 2016 made a significant impact on football in Kashmir. With no shortage of talented football players in the valley, the club made huge strides in a very short period. Real Kashmir rose to fame quickly and while emphasis was given to developing the young local players, it also attracted players from all around the world.
Real Kashmir’s first national competition came in the form of the Durand Cup in 2016. After recruiting David Robertson as head coach in 2017, the club made strides in the right direction. The arrival of players like Mason Robertson, Danish Farooq, and Krizo made Snow Leapords a very well-balanced side, and Real Kashmir FC emerged as the first-ever top-flight professional football club in Jammu and Kashmir by participating in the I-League.
Real Kashmir has enjoyed tremendous success in the I-League. The team progressed under the watchful eyes of a coaching staff led by David Robertson. They appeared in their first major tournament by competing in the 2016–17 I-League 2nd Division and are the first club from Kashmir to participate in the I-League Ist division.
Trophies won by Real Kashmir
Real Kashmir have already won 4 trophies in their short history. They won the I-League Second Division in 2017/18 to earn promotion to the I-League. In 2018, they lifted the J&K Invitational Cup and lifted the IFA Shield consecutively in 2020 and 2021.
I-League Second Division 2017-18
In the I-League Second Division, Real Kashmir went undefeated in Group A winning 6 matches and drawing 4 including a famous double over city rivals Lonestar Kashmir FC. In the final round, they scored 4 points from the first two games to set up a showpiece clash against Hindustan FC on the final day. Ifham Tariq Mir, N. Bhutia, and Danish Farooq starred for RKFC as Real Kashmir beat Hindustan FC 3-2 to lift the I-League 2nd division for Real Kashmir.
Jammu and Kashmir Invitational Cup-2018
Real Kashmir then lifted the Jammu and Kashmir Invitational Cup-2018 which was jointly organised by the J&K Football Association and J&K State Sports Council. Real Kashmir FC, Minerva Punjab, J&K Bank, Sudeva FC, Lone Star, SFA, Delhi United, and Bengaluru FC B were the eight participating teams in the tournament.
The final of the tournament was scheduled to take place between Real Kashmir and Minerva Punjab FC at Synthetic Turf TRC in Srinagar. However, the organizers of the tournament were forced to cancel the final due to the volatile situation in Kashmir valley resulting in Real Kashmir and Minerva Punjab becoming the joint winners of the Jammu and Kashmir Invitational Cup 2018.
IFA Shield 2020
The IFA Shield is an annual football competition organized by the Indian Football Association and West Bengal’s football governing body. Real Kashmir was drawn in Group B alongside Peerless and Aryan. The Snow Leapords won both the games easily by 2-1 and 3-0. Danish Farooq scored in both games for the Kashmir-based outfit.
In the quarter-final, Real Kashmir saw off a challenge from Southern Samity with Danish Farooq again getting on the scoresheet to give his side a 1-0 win. In the semi-final, Mohammedan, who were the favorites to win the competition, were the opponents of Real Kashmir. However, the Snow Leapords brushed aside Mohammedan 4-0 thanks to a hattrick from Adefemi.
This set up a final clash against George Telegraph. Adefemi and Mason Robertson scored in either half to give Real Kashmir a 2-0 win and lift their first-ever IFA Shield.
IFA Shield 2021
Real Kashmir came into the IFA Shield 2021 as defending champions. They started where they left off the previous season beating Indian Arrows 3-0 in their opening group game. Despite losing to Calcutta Customs in their 2nd match, Real Kashmir booked their place in the Round of 16 thanks to their superior goal difference.
Real Kashmir defeated Bhawanipore 2-1 in the last 16 and Mohammedan 1-0 (ET) in the quarter-final. In the semi-final, they beat Gokulam Kerala 2-1 to set up a final clash against Sreenidi Deccan. Francisco Javier González Muñoz scored an extra-time goal to win the game by 2-1 and ensured Real Kashmir retained the IFA Shield.
Read More: Kashmir Football Teams in the I-League
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
