An in-form Real Kashmir FC is confident of beginning its I-League campaign with a win when it faces former champions Aizawl FC in Kalyani on Monday. (More Football News)
Real Kashmir have come into the I-League high on confidence after successfully defending their IFA Shield title earli🐷er this month in Kolkat꧒a.
Their head coach David Robertson sounded confident of doing well iꦓn the league.
"Our preparation was very good. We came early to Kolkata. The team played a few friendlies 🔯and took part in IFA Shield. We played four I-League teams, and the team is looking solid in terms of fitnes💧s," Robertson said at the pre-match conference.
"Aizawl is a very competitive side. They have some quality players. It will be a tough game for sure.🤪 We will make sure that we turn up and get all three points."
He said his side will take one game at a time as any team is capable of defeating any other o🐟n a given day.
"We are ready for the challenge. We areꦉ looking for🧜ward to the season.”
In another match on Monday, Manipur side Neroca FC will be up against debutants Sreenidi Deccan FC in their open♚ing match at the Naihati stadium.
NEROCA head coach Khoꩵgen Singh said his players are looking forward to begin with a 𝓡win.
"Sreenidi 💝is a very good team. We have seen them play the IFA Shield. They have many young players and their coach is experienced. They are a competitive side. We will analyze them and we are looking to getting the thr🦩ee points from the match," Khogen said.
Sreenidi head coach Fernaꦦndo Varela is also confident about the capabilities of his squad.
"We have had a very good preseason in Hyde🌜rabad. We played the IFA Shield to figure out our level. Our players hav🔯e character and personality. They will try their best to get all three points in the first match."
In the third match of the day, Mohammedan Sporting of Kolkata will lock horns against Sudeva Del💮hi FC at the Naihati Stadium.
It haꦚs been a good year for Mohammedan Sporting with Durand Cup final appearance followed by their first Calcutta Football League title win in 40 years.
However, head🎃 coach Andrey Chernyshov stated that the I-League will be a different ball game.
"We've waited for this game for four months. The first game is always special. We'll take one game at a time in the league. 𓆉There are many teams who are favourites to win the trophy," said Chernyshov.
The Black Panthers have signꦺed former Gokulam K🔯erala striker Marcus Joseph, known for his clinical finishing.
"We respect Sud🌊eva Delhi. They have a lot of young players who have the hunger and des𒆙ire to win," the Russian coach said.
Sudeva De𒁏lhi had a competitive debut season in 2020-21, finishing eighth. They have once again opted to compete w♋ith an all-Indian squad under new head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo this season.
