Fatorda: In a thrilling showdown at the 37th National Games, Kerala managed to clinch the bronze medal with a 4-3 victory in a tiebreaker against Punjab. The intense encounter took place at the Jawahar Nehru Stadium’s Fatorda ground on Wednesday, leaving spectators at the edge of their seats.
The first half of the game was filled with opportunities, but both teams struggled with lackluster finishing. Strikers Suhail MA from Kerala and Bipul Kala from Punjab missed crucial chances to score. As the match progressed into the second half, the intensity heightened. Bipul Kala from Punjab came close to breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute, followed by a missed opportunity by Jang Bahadur Singh of Punjab.
The second half continued in a defensive mode, with both teams guarding their respective forts. It wasn’t until the 70th minute when the Kerala defender, Sujith V R, attempted a long-range shot. Still, Punjab’s goalkeeper, Mohammed Harpreet Singh, rose to the occasion and made a critical save.
With the game ending in a goalless draw, it was decided by a nail-biting tiebreaker. Kerala’s Arjun V, Belgin, Sanju C, and Riswanali Edakkaviland scored the crucial goals to secure the bronze medal, while Punjab’s Abhishek Rattu, Gurmeet Chand, and Rajbir Singh gave a commendable performance but fell short.
This dramatic victory showcased the fierce competition at the National Games, leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
