Srinagar: Iqra FC Dachigam, Anantnag Reds won their respective final matches of district leagues in the ongoing State Football League-2017. Both the final matches were played on Tuesday (Nov 7) at Synthetic Turf, TRC in Srinagar.
Football fans from all parts of Kashmir in huge numbers had gathered from the early afternoon to support their favourite teams and players. The enthusiasm of fans from districts was huge as they had travelled a long distance to watch their football heroes perform at the Synthetic Turf.
In the first final of the day of District Bandipora league, which started at 1.30 pm, Iqra FC Dachigam defeated Iqbal Club Kaloos by a solitary goal. In a closely contested encounter, both the teams played aggressive football enthralling the fans, some of whom who had travelled all the way from Bandipora to support their respective teams. While forward lines of both the teams made attacks on each other’s goal post frequently, the defenders of the two teams were equal to the task to thwart any scoring opportunities.
Both the goal keepers made some exceptional saves drawing huge cheer from the crowd. The first half ended with no team able to score. In the second half, the intensity of attacks by the forwards of both the teams was intense. However, it was Umaid Afzal of Iqra FC, who managed to breach the defence lines of the losing team and scoring the only goal of the match. In the last minutes of the match, Iqbal Club players tried their best to score an equaliser, but failed at the last moment. When referee blew the final whistle, the score line read 1-0 in favour of Iqra FC.
In the second final of District Anantnag League, which started at 3 pm, Anantnag Reds defeated NB Jidda by 1-0. In the closely contested match, both the teams tried to score right from the word go, but failed till the end of the first half. The two teams missed several scoring opportunities disappointing their supporters.
As the second half started, Anantnag Reds changed their strategy and focussed more on attacking the opposite goal post with more frequency. However, the defence lines of NB Jidda ensured that no damage was done. When it looked like that the match will end goal less and the outcome would be decided in a tie breaker, Anantnag Reds managed to score a goal in the last minutes of the match much to the heartbreak of NB Jidda supporters. The Jidda players tried their best to score an equaliser in the last minutes of the match, but as the referee blew the final whistle, they were trailing by 1-0. The high speed and the quality of the football displayed by both the teams enthralled the spectators.
The finals of the League tournaments were organised by the respective District Associations under the auspices of J&K Football Association. From August to October 2017, 25 to 60 teams particpated in each tournament. The finals were played in Srinagar with a view to provide an oppurtunity to players from remote areas to play at the Synthetic Turf.
On Sunday four district/zone finals were played in which SK Pora FC, Real Wanpora FC, Pattan Zone and Fort View FC emerged winners. The four finals were also played at Synthetic Turf TRC.
Majid Mehboob, Sports Officer APHQ, J&K Police who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among the winning and runner up teams.
The State Football League-2017 is being organised by the J&K Football Association (JKFA) in all 22 districts of the state to unearth the hidden talent. More than 500 football teams and clubs with over 12000 players and over 1500 team officials are participating in the mega event, first of its kind in the history of J&K football.
The DFA Srinagar, DFA Anantnag, DFA Baramulla, Sopore Zone and Pattan Zone, DFA Budgam, DFA Kulgam, DFA Shopian, DFA Pulwama, DFA Ganderbal, DFA Zone Kupwara and Handwara, DFA Bandipora Zone, Hajin Zone, DFA Kargil and DFA Leh are sending their teams for Kashmir province after the culmination of district leagues.
Similarly, DFA Jammu, DFA Kathua, DFA Samba, DFA Reasi, DFA Udhampur, DFA Rajouri, DFA Poonch, DFA Doda, DFA Ramban, DFA Kishtwar will send their respective teams from Jammu province.
The participating teams have strength of 20 players each with three officials. Besides Srinagar, the matches are being played in Anantnag, Baramulla, Sopore, Bandipora, Pattan, Hajin, Handwara, Kupwara, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Ganderbal, Budgam, Leh and Kargil.
