Garhwal Heroes move towards the title by defeating Delhi FC on Tuesday
Rajendra Sajwan with Sunil Negi
Defending champions Garhwal Heroes and Sudeva FC have kept themselves in the title race in Delhi Premier League 2024-25 by winning their matches. Defending champions Garhwal Heroes not only avenged their first leg defeat by defeating Delhi FC 2-0, but also took a strong step towards winning their second consecutive DPL title.
In a thrilling and fluctuating match played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium complex in the capital Delhi on Tuesday, Garhwal Heroes dashed the hopes of DFC with the goals of Player of the Match Bharat Mehra and Manbhakupar Malangiang.
In the first match of the day, Sudeva FC defeated National United Sports Club 5-0 to keep their hopes of winning the title alive. Chungkham and Laisharam Rahul Metai scored two goals each for the winner. One goal was scored by Sinam Michael Singh.
With today’s results, Garhwal Heroes have collected 41 points from 20 matches, Delhi FC 38 and Sudeva 36 points from 19 matches. National finished their league campaign with 28 points from 22 matches.
The match played between Garhwal and DFC was exciting and rough. In the first half, DFC dominated and missed three easy chances to score. Garhwal did not allow DFC’s star striker Jacob Vanlal Puiya to take any freedom.
Jacob also got injured on a few occasions and had to leave the field in the second half. With this, Garhwal adopted an aggressive stance and by continuously putting pressure, scored two spectacular goals in the last five minutes and avenged the previous defeat.
In the 87th minute, India opened the scoring through a deceptive free-kick and two minutes later, Manbhakupar scored a superb goal to seal Garhwal’s victory.
