Subroto Cup : Chandigarh’s GMSSS-37 wins U-17 Boys title

Government Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37 B, Chandigarh, prevailed over Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, on penalties (5-3) to be crowned champions of the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U-17) Boys Inter-School International Football Tournament

Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 37 B, Chandigarh, prevailed over Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand, on penalties (5-3) to be crowned champions of the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U-17) Boys Inter-School International Football Tournament in an exciting final played at the Dr BR Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi on Monday.

U-17 boys’ team of Government Model Senior Secondary School (GMSSS), Sector 37 B, Chandigarh, in a jubilant mood after the win. (HT Photo)

The first half saw both teams fighting for possession in the middle of the park with Chandigarh looking to play long balls into the opposition half while Amenity played the ball from the back trying to create space between the defence. Chances were at a premium for both teams and the best one fell for Chandigarh. Amenity goalkeeper Kunal spilled the ball inside the six-yard box but Thongbam Lalchenba could not put the finishing touches. Chandigarh did put the ball in the net during the closing stages of the half, but it was ruled out for offside.

Amenity could have taken the lead at the start of the second half with Boinao just having to beat the goalkeeper who blasted the ball over the post. At the other end, Chandigarh also missed a chance with Bobby Singh misguiding a free header off a corner kick. The rest of the half was tightly contested and both teams could not find the winning goal, sending the match into extra time.

Chandigarh spurned a golden opportunity in the initial minutes of extra time with Bobby Singh missing a sitter with the goal free in front of him. Both teams could not create any clear-cut chances as the match moved into penalties.

Both teams converted their first two kicks but Yumnam missed the third kick for Amenity before Chandigarh converted their third. Bobby Singh converted the decisive kick for Chandigarh to start the celebrations for the winners.