Ravanan joins Real Kashmir for upcoming I-League season

Ex-Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) player Ravanan had previously turned out for the ‘Snow Leopards’ in I-League 2018-19, a campaign during which David Robertson’s side finished third behind champion Chennai City FC (CCFC) and East Bengal (EB). “When Real Kashmir made an offer, I didn’t think twice,” Ravanan told DT Next.

“During my first stint, I felt really comfortable at the club. Also, David, who was my coach back then, is set to continue with the team. The manager wanted me to return to RKFC. I like his style of play and the way he manages the boys. So, I agreed a contract,” said the Tamil Nadu-based veteran.

The 14th edition of the I-League will be hosted in front of vacant seats from January 2021, with the country’s second-tier competition adopting a new format. All 11 clubs will meet each other once in the first phase before being divided into two groups.

The top six teams in the standings will go against each other for a second time to decide the title-winner while the bottom five will fight to escape relegation. The side with the most number of points – cumulative – will be awarded the trophy.

The 33-year-old Ravanan, who can operate both as a central defender and full-back, assured that Real Kashmir would put in the hard yards to achieve the big prize. “During our debut I-League season, we did so well despite a lot of challenges. Our goal is to better that feat. I feel that all teams will be evenly matched. Of course, every club will aim to finish at the top. Our primary objective is to get into the top-6 after the first round of fixtures. We will then move from there,” he added.

Ravanan wants to put a smile on the faces of the passionate RKFC supporters by going the distance. “In the last few years, the fans have come out in large numbers to get behind the players. So, we would like to give something back,” he concluded.