CHANDIGARH, OCT 25 : Playing with a purpose, Dura Public School of Solan (HP) emerged worthy winners by defeating local Shishu Niketan School, Sector 22 by 2-0 in the final of the CBSE Cluster III Football Tournament hosted by St Solider International School, Sector 28 here today.
The teams were locked goalless in the first half of 30-minute session. Shishu Niketan School resorted to long range shots and played without any planning. On the other hand Durga School forwards combined well, especially in the second half and scored two goals to take home the trophy which they richly deserved. They had given a consistent display throughout the tournament.
Shishu Niketan made two quick changes early in the first half. Ranjan Negi and Karan Chopra were substituted. Shishu Niketan had a good chance to score in the first half but DPS goalkeeper Novel Preet made a spectacular save by collecting a hard shot.
DPS reorganized their game in the second half and three minutes after resumption, they booted home their first goal in the 33rd minute when Chanakya found the target. The Solan school confirmed the lead in the 43 minute when Krishna Chettri whose long ranger floated shot went over the head of air-borne Shishu Niketan goalkeeper Darshan Preet into the net.
Earlier, hosts St Soldier International finished third by beating DAV-15 by 2-0 at the Sector 17 Football Ground.
Mr. Pushkar Vohra AEO Sports, CBSE presided over the function and distributed the prizes. He appreciated the efforts of the school management and staff in hosting the prestigious event.
Principal Vijaya Sidhu addressed the gathering and stated that the participating teams embodied all that was best in the glorious sport of football.
President Ravinder Pal Singh Hayer congratulated the winners and appreciated the efforts made by all the participating teams and their coaches.
Teams: Durga Public School, Solan: Novel Preet, Piyush, Harshad, Akhil, Chanayka, Jaswinder, Krishna Chettri, Birjeshwar, Kamapreet, Satish, Amandeep, Harsh, Yuvraj, Rajwinder and Sumit.
Shishu Niketan:
Darshanpreet Singh, Baljit Singh, Amit Baloria, Kashish Birla, Rajan Negi, Rajat Mehra, Karandeep Singh, Ripudan Singh, Karan Chopra, Chetan Sharma, Dinkar, Amandeep Singh, Sameer Daman, Rohit, Bhupinder Singh and Hardeep Singh.
Referee: Bhupinder Singh. Assistant referees: Gurpreet Bedi and Sandeep. Table referee: Suraj.