Aizawl, Jan 10: A day before the game against Aizawl FC, Real Kashmir head coach, David Robertson Thursday said his team would take it as a challenge “rather than underestimating Aizawl for featuring at the bottom in the league.”
Real Kashmir FC will lock horns with Aizawl for the second time in the league on Friday in Rajiv Gandhi Stadium here, which has a capacity to accommodate 20,000 spectators.
The previous match between the clubs was played on December 5 in Srinagar in which the host team RKFC emerged as the winner by 1:0.
While addressing a pre-match press conference here, Robertson said the upcoming matches are equally important for RKFC to “go a step ahead for bigger results.”
“You cannot underestimate Aizawl FC, which has been a former I-League champion. A new coach has just come in; players would want to do even better. The game is very important for us and we hope to get three points out of it,” he said.
Robertson said people of Kashmir are concerned with every match of the club.
“We have a huge number of spectators and fans in Kashmir, who look forward to every game of Real Kashmir FC. So it is important for us to come up to their expectations. The game can be tough but we have to play it with full confidence,” he said.
Asked whether the change in the turf will trouble the players, he said that his squad has got used to understand every playground in least possible time.
“We played on synthetic turf in Srinagar and then another five on natural grass. A professional player has to play in any circumstances. Surfaces can be different but it won’t matter in the longer run,” Robertson said.
He said his players are very much keen to keep intact the “unbeaten” title in away matches.
“We haven’t lost any game since March 2017 out of the state. So we will work hard to ensure even better results ahead,” he said.
RKFC’s Midfielder Surchandra Singh said the unity among the team members has encouraged every individual player to perform better.
The Friday’s game is estimated to be a loud match considering the fan following of the local club in Aizawl.
An official said that the ground will be packed with football fans.
“Tickets will be given tomorrow and people have already expressed their desire to watch the match,” he said.
Aizawl FC former Coach, Gift Raikhan resigned on Sunday after the team faced defeat against Indian Arrows.
The team has appointed Karnataka born Stanley Rasario, who will take charge of team after Friday’s match.
Assistant Coach Aizawl FC, Jonathan said his team will focus on getting three points in the upcoming match.
“We will fight with our heart and soul and we are hopeful to get three points. Coach Stanley will arrive today and training programmes for the team will be conducted by him the day after tomorrow,” he said.
