Subroto Cup 2023 Final: Chandigarh crowned champions after shootout drama

The Subroto Cup final was played in the presence of famous Indian athlete Anju Bobby George.

Govt. Model Senior Secondary School, Sector 37 B, Chandigarh prevailed over Amenity Public School, Rudrapur, Uttarakhand on penalties (5-3) to be crowned champions of the 62nd Subroto Cup Junior (U 17) Boys Inter School International Football Tournament in an exciting final played here at the Dr. B.R Ambedkar Stadium.

Air Chief Marshal V.R Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of Air Staff along with Anju Bobby George, the first Indian athlete to win a medal at World Championships presented the trophy to the winning team and also declared the tournament close.

The first half saw both teams fighting for possession in the middle of the park with Chandigarh looking to play long balls into the opposition half while Amenity played the ball from the back trying to create space between the defence. Chances were at premium for both teams and the best one fell for Chandigarh. Amenity goalkeeper, Kunal spilled the ball inside the six yard box but Thongbam Lalchenba could not put the finishing touches. Chandigarh did put the ball in the net during the closing stages of the half, but it was ruled out for offside.

Amenity Public School could have taken the lead in the start of the second half with Boinao just having to beat the goalkeeper blasted the ball over the post. At the other end, Chandigarh also missed a chance with Bobby Singh misguiding a free header off a corner kick. The rest of the half was tightly contested and both teams could not find the winning goal, sending the match into extra time.

Chandigarh spurned a golden opportunity in the initial minutes of extra time with Bobby Singh missing a sitter with the goal free in front of him. Both teams could not create any clear cut chances as the match moved into penalties.

Both teams converted their first two kicks but Yumnam missed the third kick for Amenity before Chandigarh converted their third. Bobby Singh converted the decisive kick for Chandigarh to start the celebrations for the winners.

A total of 38 teams participated in the Junior Boys (U 17) category of this edition’s Subroto Cup including teams from Bangladesh and Nepal.