Day 4 Delhi Premier League 2024-25 – Garhwal Heroes won by 5-1 defeating National United SC
Report by ANIL NEGI
The first match between defending champions Garhwal Heroes Football Club and National United SC ended with a score of 5-1 in Garhwal’s favour.
Both teams fought to score but Garhwal got the the breakthrough in the 37th minute with Ishanbok’s header. The assist came from a long throw which led the first header to be deflected towards Ishan Bok who then directed the ball calmly into the goal. National United were quick to respond with an equalizer in the 47th minute by Vumminlen Haolai.
A long ball by NUSC’s left winger that bounced over Garhwal’s centre back allowed Vumminlen to head the ball over Garhwal’s keeper. National United SC gained the momentum they needed and relentlessly attacked and tested Garhwal’s defence. Garhwal’s response came in the 56th minute with a short corner to number 7 who crossed the ball into National’s penalty box. National’s goalkeeper’s clearance was converted into a volley by Garhwal’s Bharat Mehra, who put the ball into the bottom left corner to give Garhwal the lead.
Garhwal’s Mustafa Shaikh increased the lead in the 62nd minute. It came with a piercing delivery from the halfway line by Garhwal’s midfielder to Mustafa who made a perfect run between the two defenders to calmly place the ball into the bottom right of the goal. Nirmal Singh Bisht sealed the game with Garhwal’s 4th goal in the 68th minute with a tap in after a nice passing sequence.
Mustafa completed his brace in the 71st minute with an elegant header to a beautiful long ball from Bharat Mehra from Garhwal’s own half which flew over both the centre backs. Garhwal showed total dominance and technical superiority throughout the game and cemented their position as defending champions. Mustafa Shaikh grabbed the man of the match awarded for his outstanding performance and two goals leading Garhwal to a convincing victory.
The second match between Tarun Sangha FC and the newly promoted United Bharat saw the former easily prevail with a score of 3-1. Khullakpam Sakir Ali opened the score for Tarun Sangha in the 3rd minute with a beautiful header that came as a rebound after a powerful shot rattled the crossbar and sent the ball skyward. Irungbam Aboy Singh doubled the lead for Tarun Sangha in the 14th minute. The move began down the left flank with a majestic overlapping by the left back followed by a precise cross to Ali.
Ali showed composure and tapped the ball into the side netting with a deft touch. Loitongbam Rlex Singh sealed the match for Tarun Sangha in the 20th minute with a remarkable header from the corner kick. Lalkhanlen Sitlhou scored for United Bharat in the 54th minute but the team still came up short in the end. K. Sakir Ali was awarded the man of the match for his goal and off the ball contributions.
The first match on 30-Sept-2024 will be played between Royal Rangers FC and Hindustan FC at 1 PM in Ambedkar Stadium. The second match at 4 PM will be between CISF Protectors and Indian Air Force at the same venue.
