In a thrilling contest at the TRC Ground, Real Kashmir FC (RKFC) secured a gritty 2-1 win over Delhi FC, preserving their unbeaten streak in the I-League. The win also propelled the Snow Leapords to the top of the I-League table.
The victory, RKFC’s second home triumph in three matches, follows a draw in their previous outing. With seven points from their opening three fixtures, the Snow Leopards have established themselves as strong contenders this season. Bouba Aminou sent the home crowd into a frenzy with his 72nd-minute strike, followed by Lalramdinsanga Ralte doubling the lead in the 84th minute. Although Delhi FC’s Stephane Samir Binong pulled one back in the 89th minute, it proved insufficient to mount a comeback.
The match was not without its moments of tension, particularly for Delhi FC’s goalkeeper, Debnath Mondal, who endured a challenging evening. He was booked for a heated exchange with the referee and narrowly avoided calamity after a risky charge out of his goal to confront an opponent. Despite delivering several outstanding saves, Mondal was unable to stop Aminou’s decisive header, which broke the deadlock.
After Ralte’s goal extended RKFC’s lead to two, Binong’s late effort offered little consolation for the visitors. Instead of a Delhi FC comeback, it was Real Kashmir FC that had the opportunity to extend their lead with a penalty in the eight minutes of added time, but Senegalese forward Abdou Karim Samb failed to convert the spot kick.
Thrilling moments from today's match against Delhi FC!
A Win is a Win, double the fun with our fans & well wishers.#RealKashmirFC #SnowLeopards #ILeague #Kashmir #FansFirst pic.twitter.com/IccOy342UG— Real Kashmir FC (@realkashmirfc) December 4, 2024
Overall, clear opportunities were scarce for both sides, though Real Kashmir appeared more at ease in the brisk afternoon conditions, with temperatures lingering around 9 degrees Celsius.
After the match, RKFC owner Arshad Shawl praised the team for their hard-fought win and thanked the fans for their relentless support, reaffirming his commitment to the development of football in the region. Manager Yasir Malik also expressed his gratitude to the fans, recognizing their crucial role in energizing the team and creating an electric atmosphere.
Representing Jammu and Kashmir, Real Kashmir will now focus on their upcoming match on December 9, with all games being broadcast live on Sony Sports.
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.
