In a thrilling night of football, ICL emerged victorious over Reliance Foundation Youth Champs (RFYC) in a dramatic 6-5 tie-breaker, clinching the esteemed Harwood Champions League title at Cooperage Stadium. The electric atmosphere of the Saturday night final was a fitting backdrop to a contest of nerves, skill, and eventual triumph for the determined ICL squad.
The match began with both teams exhibiting high energy and precision in their play. Early on, RFYC seemed to have the upper hand when Zehal Shibu fired off a spectacular shot in the 21st minute, navigated deftly past ICL’s defense, and found the back of the net. The goal provided RFYC with a crucial 1-0 lead which they maintained until the end of the first half, establishing a foundation built on tactical discipline and strategic foresight. RFYC’s early lead, however, was constantly threatened by ICL’s aggressive forays into their defensive zones, which foreshadowed the drama that was yet to come.
The second half unraveled as a fiercely fought tactical battle, featuring intense exchanges and near-misses by both sides. ICL, maintaining a relentless pursuit of an equaliser, piled pressure on the RFYC defense, which showed cracks under consistent attacks. RFYC seemed poised to emerge as the champions, managing to withstand ICL’s advances until a fateful moment in the 88th minute. It was then that Ronik Singh seized upon a lapse in RFYC’s defensive composure. Capitalising on an untimely fumble in the penalty box, Singh equalised with a close-range shot that left the RFYC side reeling and the ICL supporters erupting in jubilation.
With the score locked at 1-1 after regular time, the fixture moved into the nerve-jangling realm of a tie-breaker. Here, fortunes swung dramatically as both teams displayed an incredible will to win. ICL’s goalkeeper Arup Debnath turned into the hero of the night with his remarkable agility and reflexive saves, which would ultimately prove decisive. Debnath thwarted two key attempts from RFYC, first diving expertly to his right to nullify Ansh Tembulkar’s kick, and thereafter decisively stopping a shot by Arin Deshmukh during sudden death. Each save was a moment of electrifying brilliance that buoyed ICL’s morale.
As both teams found themselves level at 5-5 after the initial round of five penalties, the onus to clinch victory fell to Abhiav Pandsey of ICL.
. In an unerring display of composure and skill, Pandsey slotted the ball into the net, securing the championship title for ICL as their fans celebrated wildly in the stands.
The emotional roller-coaster of the final was a hallmark of the young talents present in both squads, with significant performances by Lalit H, Ronik, Zeeshan Akhtar, and Bless Vashum on the ICL side. RFYC’s efforts included valiant goals by Rajkumar Sanyasi, Karan Failha, Ayush Digal, and F Vanlal, whose collective performances underscored the competitive spirit of the match.
Post-match reflections saw RFYC coach Robert Loelofsn acknowledge the fluctuations of fortune inherent in football. “In football, you don’t always get what you deserve,” he remarked. “We started very well, controlled the first half completely. Our second half was extremely good. In the last 20 minutes, the game got physical. I think we really did well. The most important thing is the development within us.”
Meanwhile, ICL’s coach and manager, Bimal Ghosh, credited the encouraging support from the audience as a crucial factor, noting, “Really appreciate RFYC. They held us for a long period. Tie-breaker is anyone’s game. With the crowd rooting for us, I think that’s where we won it.”
The Harwood Champions League finale will be remembered not only for the spectacle of athletic prowess and the thrilling conclusion but also for the spirit of sportsmanship and resilience showcased by both teams. With fans anticipating another season of exhilarating action, the night remains a testament to the beautiful unpredictability that continues to make football a beloved sport worldwide.
