By : Sajad Lone
Handwara, June 18: The first ever Day and Night Football Tournament at Sports field QUAZIABAD Ganapora. The inaugural match was played between FC Sopore and Baramulla FC on Monday.
In the first high voltage match, Baramulla FC defeated its rival Sopore FC in penalties. Both the teams scored one goal each and then the event entered into penalties.
The match proved a delight for thousands of spectators, who had converged to the venue to support their favourite teams, as both the teams displayed high quality skills.
As the play started FC Baramulla players made a move to breach the defence lines of FC Sopore and number nine Umar put his team ahead in just first half of the match by scoring a goal. The lead gave a huge boost to the FC Baramulla players and they kept attacking the opposite goal post frequently.
FC Sopore players didn’t lose heart and made all out attacks on FC Baramulla goal post. In the second half of the play, FC SOPORE scored an equaliser and at the end of 2nd half score line read 1-1.
In the second half, both the teams were eager to take early lead and in the process they played attacking football. For 20 minutes, forwards of none of the teams could breach the opposite defence lines until the match entered into penalties. Faizan Ahmad of FC Baramulla team was declared as player of the match for his brilliant performance. He was awarded a trophy.
DFC president Mushtaq Ahmad, Mohammed Maqbool Physical teacher and many local senior citizens were invited on this inaugural ceremony.
The tournament is being organised by Football Club Ganapora.
The aim of the tournament is to unearth the hidden talent in all corners of the state including remote areas. Around 50 clubs of different districts will participate in this Day and Night tournament.
Last year, Handwara, Sopore and Bandipora hosted the first ever Day and Night football competition under floodlights at their respective places. Now, Quaziabad Ganapora of Langate will also host the first ever Day and Night football competition at Ganapora Sports field.
Football fever is at its peak in entire J&K particularly in Kupwara District. Around 200 football matches have been played last year in the Kupwara district.
The rest of the matches will start at 8 Pm.
“The whole credit goes to entire management body and other people who helped us to conduct this competition,” said the organizers.
