Hosts J038;K send Delhi packing

This was a rare sporting celebration in the valley. As the referee blew the whistle, the deafening roar was accompanied...

This was a rare sporting celebration in the valley. As the referee blew the whistle, the deafening roar was accompanied by bursts of firecrackers. The match was fast-paced and exciting, but the result can only be described in one word: stunning.

Jammu and Kashmir defeated Delhi 4-0 in the first of the Santosh Trophy pre-quarterfinals.

J038;K took the lead as early as the the ninth minute, when international Ishfaq dribbled past several defenders and drilled the shot. This was Ishfaq8217;s fifth goal of the tournament in just two outings.

No let-up

There was no let-up in their attacks and at the half-hour mark, Mohammad Asif intercepted the ball as Delhi 8216;keeper Rajat Guha messed up a clearance and doubled the lead. Minutes before the half-time whistle, the hosts missed another chance when a kick from Asif flew over the post.

In the second half, Delhi bounced back and made several attempts on goal. The strikers, however, failed to convert their chances, in part from their inaccuracy, but also because of the brilliance of Tanveer Ahmad, the J038;K goalkeeper.

As the minutes counted down, Delhi went all out in an attempt to survive, and the J038;K strikers, amde terrific use of all the space they were gifted. Three minutes to go, Ishfaq, once again, rushed past the Delhi defence to score his second and his team8217;s third. And even as the almost five thousand fans got busy celebrating, S Rizwan sealed Delhi8217;s fate with another goal in the 89th minute, off Ishfaq8217;s pass.

8220;This was an amazing crowd. They were behind us all the time,8221; Ishfaq said. 8220;We hope they come to support us in our forthcoming matches also8221;.

Bashaarat Masood

Bashaarat Masood is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express. He has been covering Jammu and Kashmir, especially the conflict-ridden Kashmir valley, for two decades. Bashaarat joined The Indian Express after completing his Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University in Kashmir. He has been writing on politics, conflict and development. Bashaarat was awarded with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards in 2012 for his stories on the Pathribal fake encounter. Expertise and Experience Two Decades of Frontline Reporting: Bashaarat has spent 20 years documenting the evolution of Kashmir, from high-intensity conflict and political shifts to socio-economic development. Award-Winning Investigative Journalism: He is a recipient of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (2012). This honor was bestowed for his reporting on the Pathribal fake encounter, a series of stories that highlighted his ability to handle sensitive human rights and security issues with investigative rigor. Specialized Beats: His authoritative coverage spans: Political Transitions: Tracking the shift from statehood to Union Territory, electoral dynamics, and the pulse of local governance. Security & Conflict: Providing nuanced reporting on counter-insurgency, civil liberties, and the impact of the conflict on the civilian population. Development: Documenting the infrastructure, healthcare, and educational landscape within the Valley. Academic Background: He holds a Masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir, providing him with a localized academic and professional foundation that is rare in regional reporting. ... Read More