Football tourney commences in Anantnag

Football players in action during a match in Anantnag.
Football players in action during a match in Anantnag.

*Day-1 witnessed thrilling matches

Excelsior Sports Correspondent
ANANTNAG, July 19: Youth Services and Sports Department’s district level football tournament witnessed intense and exhilarating matches, showcasing remarkable talent and sportsmanship among the participating teams in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
In a gripping match, High Secondary School (HSS) Brakpora faced off against Higher Secondary School (HSS) Mattan. The game saw exceptional performances from both sides, with Tahseen from HSS Brakpora and Adnan Reyaz from HSS Mattan netting one goal each.
The evenly matched teams held the score at 1-1 until the end of regulation time, leading to a penalty shootout. In the high-stakes shootout, HSS Brakpora displayed nerves of steel and finished the match with a 5-4 win, advancing to the next round.
Another exciting match featured HSS Vessu taking on HSS Dailgam. Kifayat Manzoor of HSS Dialgam delivered a stellar performance, scoring two goals for his team and drove them to a commanding 3-0 victory over HSS Vessu. This dominant win highlighted the strength and coordination of the HSS Dialgam team, securing their spot in the tournament’s next phase.
In another competitive encounter, SRJ Khanabal went head-to-head with HSS Hakura. The match saw SRJ Khanabal emerge victorious with a 2-0 score line, thanks to the impressive goals scored by Danish and Faizan. Their teamwork and strategy were evident throughout the game, earning them a well-deserved win.
The first semi-final match was a one-sided battle between SRJ Khanabal and HSS Arwani. SRJ Khanabal showcased their prowess on the field, defeating HSS Arwani with a decisive 3-0 victory. The goals came from Faizan, Ikhlas and Majid, each contributing to their team’s winning performance and securing their place in the tournament final.
The inter-school football tournament continues to be a platform for young athletes to display their talent, determination and sportsmanship, promising more exciting matches in the days to come.