Subrato
Cup Final
Today I watched the final of
the Subroto Cup Sub-Junior Boys (Under14) tournament at Ambedkar stadium Delhi.
The match was between a Mizoram school and an Afghanistan School. I could
manage a media pass and comfortably watched the match sitting in the Press Gallery.
It was a pulsating fast paced encounter. Mizoram boys were a spirited side with
superb ball control, passing and dribbling. Except in height and stamina they
were better than their rivals. They were leading by two spectacular goals
scored by Hmar. In the second half Afghanistan reduced the margin and restored
parity through a penalty kick. In the extra time Mizoram scored one more goal
and became the champion. It is a rare occasion to watch an Indian team winning
the final. The scintillating display of Mizoram boys proves the fact that there
is abundance of soccer talent in the country and if we are able to unearth,
nurture and develop these talents, India can recapture its pre eminent position
and can become a force to reckon with at least in Asian circuit.
Legendary Brazilian
footballer Roberto Carlos was the special guest and he watched the full match.
However, the attendance in the stadium was sparse. I am eagerly waiting to see
the King of Football Pele who will grace the final of Subroto Cup Junior (Under
17) final. Last year an Indian team
played in the final against a Brazilian school team and they squandered the
lead in the final stages of the match. Let us hope that another Indian team which
may play in this year’s final will not repeat the mistakes of their predecessors
and will emerge victorious.
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