Pune gets 4 new city champions

RFYS Football commenced in Pune on September 11th and after more than 75 days of grueling display of football, the City Finals were held on November 30th at DSK Ground. Interestingly, the City Finals were held on the same day in 2017 but this time, four new institutes went on to lift the trophy.

In the opening encounter, Sinhgad Spring Dale Public School squared off against Krida Prabhodhini. The former were the team in form and had registered some top-notch performances in their campaign but the School Girls of Krida Prabhodhini had other ideas. They were thoroughly dominant throughout the 60 minutes and despite the best efforts of Sinhgad Spring Dale’s goalkeeper Anjali Burke, were behind by three goals at the end of the first half. Krida Prabhodhini successfully kept the lead in the second half too and went on to win the School Girls championship.

After the girls, it was time for the boys of Krida Prabhodhini to shine and they did that convincingly against Don Bosco Junior College in the Senior Boys final. They were on the front foot in the first 20 minutes only, courtesy to goals by Atharv Mangarule and Sufiyaan Shaikh. Krida Prabhodhini were in total control of the proceedings and headed into the break leading 4-0. Their assault continued in the second half too and even though Don Bosco Junior College pulled one back, they ended up losing the game 1-7! Thus, with that emphatic victory, Krida Prabhodhini completed a double in Pune.

The third final of the day was between the Junior Boys of St Vincent’s High School, who were the City Champions in Senior Boys category last year, and JN Petit Technical High School. St Vincent’s High School showed their class straightaway and scored twice in the first ten minutes after kick-off. While Adam Aimar’s opened the proceedings, Karan Madke doubled their lead after a shot from inside the penalty area. Right at the cusp of HT, St Vincent’s High School scored another one and were sitting comfortably on top. After showing their attacking prowess in the first half, St Vincent’s High School were clinical with their defence in the second half and kept JN Petit Technical School’s attackers in check. In the end, they went on to lift the Junior Boys championship trophy after a 3-0 win.

The final game of the day saw Indira College of Commerce and Science taking on Ness Wadia College of Commerce. Both teams shared possession throughout the first half but eventually, the Indira College of Commerce and Science managed to score right at the cusp of half-time. They continued to have the upper hand in the second half too, even though Ness Wadia College of Commerce constantly posed a threat. Eventually, Indira College of Commerce became the College Boys champions after a 1-0 win.

Pune’s City Champions will next be in action at the RFYS National Qualifiers of West Zone and the way they’ve played so far will certainly put them in good stead ahead of the crucial next phase where they’ll face tougher opponents and vie for a National Championship berth.

Pune gets 4 new city champions