Srinagar: Pulwama FC and United Lalpora FC won final matches of district Pulwama and Kupwara leagues in the ongoing State Football League-2017. Both the final matches were played on Tuesday (Dec 5) at Synthetic Turf, TRC in Srinagar.
In the first final of the day of District Pulwama league, which started at 11 am, Pulwama FC defeated Pulwama Champions by two goals to nil. The match turned out to be a one sided affair as Pulwama FC team played with better coordination and ensured that ball remains in their possession for most of the time.
Ali Mohammad played brilliantly for the winning team, scoring both the goals. The defenders of Pulwama Champions were helpless against Ali Mohammad and other forwards of the winning team. The defenders of the winning team also played a significant part in their victory as they kept the opposition forward lines at bay throughout the match. The goal keeper of the winning team made some exceptional saves drawing huge cheer from the crowd. When referee blew the final whistle, the score line read 2-0 in favour of Pulwama FC.
In the second final of District Kupwara League, which started at 1 pm, United Lalpora defeated Kupwara United by a similar margin of 2-0. Both the teams tried to score right from the word go and made several moves, but missed the scoring opportunities at the last moment. However, Mir Qasim managed to score first goal for the winning team in the first half. The opposition team tried their best to score an equaliser but failed to do so and the first half ended with score line reading 1-0 in favour of United Lalpora.
The second half also started liked the first with United Lalpora doubling their lead through Umar Farooq. After taking 2-0 lead, the winning team concentrated on maintaining it till the end of the match. Kupwara United players desperately tried to score, but failed and when the referee blew the final whistle, the score line read 2-0 in favour of United Lalpora.
Chief Sports Officer, J&K State Sports Council (JKSSC) Haji Abdul Qayoom, who was the chief guest on the occasion, distributed prizes among the winner and runner up teams. He also distributed mementos, trophies, uniform and football sets among the players.
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 participating teams have strength of 20 players each with three officials. The State Football League, a mega event first of its kind in the history of J&K football, has proved a super hit this year with the football governing body in the state – JK Football Association (JKFA) – making all efforts to make it count.
JKFA President Zamir Thakur says, “This year’s State Football League has already turned out as a mega hit among the fans and we are hopeful it will in long run help us to find raw talent from across the state. Football has given the state 30 international players and is most popular game here. It has history of more than 100 years in valley and from that time it has come a long way. From last few years, it is regaining its popularity and we are sure that this event will bring it back the lost glory.”
