The second years versus the fifth years. A fair-sized crowd was present. It was the second day of the tournament, the excitement was palpable.
The correspondent witnessed a lot of Heading throughout the match; the players seemed to find this the most convenient way of blocking as well as passing. The fifth years, with Siddharth Natraj leading the way, attempted many a time to score themselves a goal but the second years’ goalie, Susmit Panzade, with a little help from Yadu Krishnan, didn’t let that happen. A corner kick, lots of falling down in the wet muddy area, and some cheering from the random assortment of seniors on the other side brought with it the end of the first half with neither team having scored any goals.
During the break, Athul Muraleedharan proceeded to speak with Ajsal E.A. and people shouted things at each other on the ground in Malayalam and English and the freshie referee Suraj Unnikrishnan Menon blew the whistle to resume the game. Yadu attempts a goal, but in vain, it was saved by the fifth year Dilip Mulagapati. In the midst of the confusion owing to the mud splashing all around, a couple of dogs distracted the correspondent and the Article 19 photographer who was trying to take aesthetic pictures. The correspondent was unable to properly witness the first (and only!) goal of the match, which the correspondent later came to hear was quite a feat. Confusion regarding who scored the winning goal- Athul or Yadu was forgotten in the midst of all the cheering, until the very end when the correspondent managed to speak with the goal scorer, who turned out to be Athul.
In the final few minutes, Siddharth once more made brave attempts to score a goal; a close shave, a miss for the fifth years. Special mention to Savio Daimary for keeping the fifth years at bay in what the correspondent assumes was a spectacular display of defence. The whistle blows and the second years, victorious cheer for themselves.
Having won both their matches, the second years now proceed to the semi-finals.
(To be noted that the correspondent does not know the rules of football all too well, hence to be forgiven for lack of clarity in the corresponding. Also, if you feel that many 2nd years were mentioned by name, it is because I knew their names).
Report by Correspondent
Article 19 