Genuine Kashmir FC showed tremendous resilience, to pull off a stunning victory 2:1 over spirited Sreenidi Deccan FC and lift their second consecutive IFA Defend title on Wednesday.

The team, who was coached by David Robertson, endured a below-average performance in the first half, as the I-League debutants from Vizag dominated with their excellent tactical and technical display, when in 30. Colombian central striker David Castaneda Munoz attacked them in the minute.

Deccan FC fended off some valiant RKFC attacks in the second half and that was it, what they had to do, was to wait the last three minutes, to complete their dream journey with their first title on debut.

However, their inexperience came to the fore, when RKFC made a dramatic U-turn on their reliable Spanish-Scottish duo Fran Gonzalez and Mason Lee Robertson, who struck one at a time, to help their side become winners.

In the last edition too, RKFC pulled off an identical victory 2:1 over George Telegraph, when their goalkeeper Mithun Samanta saved a penalty in the closing minutes.

Elated club owner Sandeep Chattoo dedicated the win to die-hard RKFC fans and supporters in the valley.

“The boys have made Kashmir proud. It is indeed a glory, which will bring lots and lots of cheer back to the valley for RKFC supporters,” Chattoo told PTI.

"Three local boys played in the team. It gives me immense joy and credit to the team for it, that he holds the snow leopard flag high and flies against all odds.'

“The team, who is only five years old, made history after a decade, when he won the IFA shield twice in a row. I would also like to thank coach David and I have to say, that my faith in my coach is flawless."

From the beginning, the outfit led by Fernando Santiago Varela dominated, which was the last entrant in this year's I-League and was launched less than six months ago.

Their attacking midfielder Girik Khosla set it up from the left, when David brilliantly tapped the ball and turned it, to shoot with a strong right hand, giving Deccan an early advantage and scoring his fourth goal of the tournament.

RKFC stepped it up in the second half, but failed to convert its chances, when Thoi Singh was two players short in front of goal.

V 66. minute Thoi missed a great opportunity, when he brilliantly set up Mason's throw-in, but Thoi's shot hit the crossbar.

Time was running out fast for RKFC and the match went into second half break, when Sanchez v 90. a 3. he leveled the score in the minute and moved the match into overtime.

It was Mason, who played it through the clinical center from the right, when Sanchez played the ball into play and fired from an acute angle.

V 100. in the minute, Mason seized a superbly connected cross from Pratesh Shirodkar and towered over his rival's defender for the winning header.

Deccan FC gave their all and brought their goalkeeper CK Ubaid into the attack in the last minutes of extra time, but the RKFC defense held.