By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
I-League Media
NEW DELHI: Lonestar Kashmir FC, the surprise package of last season, are gearing up to host their first Second Division League encounter this season against the renowned Mumbai outfit, PIFA Sports. The day will be a historic day of Jammu & Kashmir as they are going to debut in National football map as host. Synthetic Turf Stadium, Srinagar will find its name in the state’s football history, let alone sports while hommies Lonestar Kashmir FC come out to ply their trade against PIFA Sports.
Lonestar Kahsmir FC, who narrowly missed out the Hero I-League berth last season, are going to play their first Second Division League match on their home turf. The players as well as the management are delighted ahead of the crucial juncture. Mr. ZA Thakur, Director, Lonestar Kashmir FC sounded pretty overjoyed on the landmark event, “No doubt it’s going to be another historic day for Lonestar Kashmir FC, let alone the J&K Football Association. Albeit we’ve hosted Santosh Trophy earlier, it’s going to be a huge step forward staging Second Division League match in our state. We’ve defied every single shortcoming and finally the day is here.” Mr. Thakur, who holds the Presidential chair of J&K Football Association, is looking forward to a huge turnout tomorrow, “People are pretty enthusiastic about football here and we’re pretty sure that they won’t let such a historic chance go. We’re expecting not less than 10,000 strong crowds in Synthetic Turf Stadium. We’re really being impatient to watch a match being played here ahead of a strong fan base.”
Lonestar Kashmir FC embarked their journey on a mellower note while they drew with Kenkre FC in Mumbai. As the flaks started to balloon up following this unexpected result, Kashmir boys shut them with an outright win over Dempo SC in their backyard, thanks to a fine brace from Farookh Gani and one meticulous finish from Atinder Mani. Albeit they were made to bite the dust against Minerva Academy FC, Kashmir boys are geared up to make it even tomorrow.
Mr. Ifthikar Lone, Chairman, Lonestar Kashmir FC put it straight away that Kashmir boys are licking their lips to churn out the best result in the windy weather, “It’s the charm of playing home matches in front of your own crowd. Most of our boys hail from the state itself, which gives us an edge over the travelling team. We have to encash this opportunity and come out with the best result.” Lonestar Kashmir FC missed the Hero I-League 2015-16 by a whisker, but now they are a different outfit altogether, armed with nerves of steel and sheer determination to make the cut. “Our aim is nothing but the Hero I-League berth. We won’t compromise with our goal at any vantage point”, Lone sounded pretty confident but complacent.
Irrespective of the result, the day will be etched in golden letters in J&K sports history and it would add another feather in Lonestar Kashmir FC’s hat once they baffle PIFA Sports in the bout. The J&K football fraternity expect a huge turn out to cheer their heart out for their home team. “We would welcome all of you to join us on the brink of history. 6th December, 2015 is going to be a red letter day in J&K sports and we all are going to be part of that. Let’s cherish the moment together”, Mr. Lone signed off in a fervent note.
