Down to ten, up to Gold! Kerala manage to hold lead in National Games final
The football event at the 38th National Games concluded on Tuesday with the men’s final and bronze medal matches being held at the Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex in Haldwani.
The final between Uttarakhand and Kerala saw over 12,000 spectators in attendance, a perfect atmosphere for a game this big. The game began where both teams struggled to score with the first half ending in a deadlock. Post the break Kerala were quick in pushing for a goal, finding the back of the net courtesy to a goal from Gokul in the 53rd minute.
Uttarakhand had a good chance to make a comeback as Kerela were reduced to ten men following Safwan’s sending off in the 75th minute, but despite Uttarahand’s relentless efforts to equalize, Kerala’s strong defense denied them any opportunity. With this victory, Kerala secured the gold medal in football at the 38th National Games, while Uttarakhand had to settle for silver.
The bronze medal match witnessed a fierce contest between Delhi and Assam. Delhi’s Mahip Adhikari scored the first goal in the 20th minute, followed by a second goal from Jasanbok Bufhang in the 44th minute, giving Delhi a commanding 2-0 lead.
However, Assam fought back, with Akrang Nazary scoring in injury time of the first half (45+2’), reducing the deficit to 2-1. In the second half, Delhi’s Aditya Adhikari scored in the 72nd minute, extending their lead to 3-1. Assam’s Jwngbla Brahma responded with a goal in the 82nd minute, making it 3-2, but in the dying moments of the match (90+6’), Aditya Adhikari netted his second goal, securing a 4-2 victory for Delhi.
With this win, Delhi clinched the bronze medal, while Assam had to settle for fourth place.
For football enthusiasts in Haldwani, it was a memorable day filled with intense action and electrifying performances, as they cheered passionately for their teams.
