SRINAGAR: There was no encore in store and debutants Real Kashmir had to be contend with sharing the spoils with 10-man Churchill Brothers following a goalless draw in their first-ever home game of the I-league here Tuesday.
The day will be remembered as one when the Kashmir Valley hosted its first I-League game. A few days after a terrific start to their maiden season in the country’s top-flight, when they stunned defending champions Minerva Punjab FC in their own den, Real Kashmir entered the game as the fancied team. But former champions Churchill Brothers are a seasoned outfit and managed to stave off a spirited challenge by the hosts at the TRC Polo Synthetic Turf Ground. Real Kashmir could not register three points after being denied twice by the woodwork, once in each half. The two-time former champions from Goa had their goalkeeper James Kithan sent off just before half-time but held on gamely and in fact even had the last chance of the game.
They remain unbeaten in their first three games, all of them away from home. Scottish coach David Robertson’s home side will feel an opportunity was lost to register a second successive win in their debut campaign, having won the opener away from home. Kashmir opted to solely depend on Ivorian striker Gnohere Krizo for a breakthrough. (PTI)
