BARAMULLA: Bandipora and Ganderbal qualified for the final of the Union Territory-level Inter-District Under-17 Boys’ Football Championship after winning their respective semi-finals on penalties on Monday.
In the first semi-final at MET Ground, Sopore, Bandipora defeated Poonch 5-3 in the penalty shootout after a closely contested match. In the second semi-final at Higher Secondary School Hadipora, Ganderbal edged past hosts Baramulla 5-4 on penalties to secure the other place in the final.
Earlier, four quarter-final matches determined the semi-final lineup. Poonch defeated Kishtwar 3-2 at Synthetic Turf, Azad Ganj, Baramulla, while the hosts edged past Budgam 1-0 at the same venue.
At MET Ground, Sopore, Bandipora secured a 1-0 victory over Srinagar, while Ganderbal defeated Kupwara 3-1 to advance to the last four.
The championship is being organised by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir, under the supervision of Director General Anuradha Gupta and hosted by the district department in Baramulla.
District Youth Services and Sports Officer Baramulla Mushtaq Ahmad Pampori congratulated the finalists and wished both teams success in the title clash.
The final is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at St Joseph’s School Ground, Baramulla, where Bandipora and Ganderbal will compete for the Under-17 boys’ title.
