Defending National Champions Minerva Public School overcame Chitkara International School 2-1 in a thrilling final to win the Senior Boys category at the Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS) tournament held in Chandigarh today.
The feisty encounter saw both the teams get four red cards in the first half, though eventually, Minerva secured a well fought victory in the dying moments of the second half.
Minerva dominated the possession throughout the match and were unlucky to not score more. After a first-half stalemate, it was Minerva’s Denzil Kharshandi who broke the deadlock right at the beginning of the second half through a deflected shot that saw the back of the net. Chitkara drew level in the 81st minute through Manant Bahadur.
But the Minervans had the last laugh, as Hanglenthang Haokip beat the keeper at the near post in the 88th minute to spark off celebrations in the Minerva camp.
Unfortunately, the junior team who were the last year’s National runners-up could not make it two trophies in a day for Minerva, as they lost to Himalaya Public School on penalties in the afternoon.
Minerva Public School will now represent Chandigarh in the Zonal Finals which are to be held from 27th to 29th November 2018 in Ludhiana.
Awards:
Junior Boys –
Golden Boot: Himanshu Jangra
Golden Ball: Himanshu Jangra
Golden Glove: Charles Tongbram
Senior Boys –
Golden Boot: Wankhem Johnson Singh
