The morning air of 4th November was filled with a splash of energy and spirit as the agility football cup for men organized by the SPIT Sports Committee marked its presence. Each face clearly expressed the meaningfulness of sport to them as the excitement on the faces began to increase the liveliness of the atmosphere at Bhavan’s ground.
A total of 12 teams competing against each other for the agility cup were divided into 4 groups compromising of 3 teams each. Each non-playoffs match was of 25 mins i.e. first and second halves 10 mins each with a 5 mins break in between. Each team will play against other two teams of their group. And the elimination process was simple and same throughout – knockouts. The team who wins its first 2 matches gets to play the semi-finals ahead. As we could see, each team would give its best in winning its every match and that’s what fuels up the spirit of the game. Also, trained referees were hired to handle the disciplined course of the game throughout.
All eyes were focused on the field as the tournament was about to start. And there goes the first whistle as the clock strikes 9 am. Teams began to show its coordination and boys began to show their eye-sticking football skills. The playing teams played with full energy while the contemporary teams stretching at the same time observed their game and discussed strategies. Each team utilized the every second of the break which made the second half of every game worth watching. With each goal, the tournament was marking its future contenders. After a lots of “oos” and “yessss”, at 12 pm we got our group winners. The teams which scored 2/2 were Tikka Mosalah from Group A, Aamchi Galli from Group B, NNN FC from group C and Gold Diggers from Group D. After rejuvenating themselves in the break with energy drinks, healthy snacks and a short warm-up the contending teams showed up. The football fever reached its zenith as the highly anticipated semifinals and grand finals unfolded in the thrilling tournament. The atmosphere was electric, and everyone eagerly awaited to witness the clash of titans on the field. In a pulsating encounter, Aamchi Galli showcased their prowess on the pitch, securing a 2-0 victory against Tikka Mosalah. Aamchi Galli displayed an impressive combination of offensive and defensive strategies, earning their well-deserved spot in the finals. The second semifinal witnessed a closely contested battle between ‘Gold Diggers’ and ‘NNN FC.’ In a nail-biting match, ‘NNN FC’ emerged victorious with a slender 1-0 lead. The single goal proved to be the decisive moment that propelled ‘NNN FC’ into the grand finals, leaving the ‘Gold Diggers’ with a valiant effort but falling just short of the mark.
The grand finals promised a spectacle, and it did not disappoint. Amchi Galli and NNN FC locked horns in a match that had all spectators on the edge. The first half of the grand finals saw a closely contested battle, with both teams displaying exceptional skills. However, it was Amchi Galli that broke the deadlock, seizing the lead with a well-executed goal. There was not a moment anybody could think of anything else because anyone who would be watching would totally fall into the game. As the second half unfolded, NNN FC fought valiantly to level the score, but Amchi Galli stood firm in defense. In a series of breathtaking moments, Amchi Galli extended their lead with two more goals, leaving ‘NNN FC’ with a mountain to climb. Despite a spirited comeback attempt, ‘NNN FC’ managed to score one goal, but it was Amchi Galli who emerged victorious with a final scoreline of 3-1.
– A Report by Jay Thakkar and Vir Bhalani