Gowtham are champions

Gowtham Model School won a thrilling penalty shootout to clinch the inter-school football tournament played in the city

The final was goalless by the end of regulation time, and Gowtham beat KV 4-3 in the shootout

Gowtham Model School were crowned champions at the 11th Sachdev Sports inter-school football tournament, organised by the Shastri Soccer Club at Trimulgherry Village Ground in Secunderabad.

In a thrilling final, Gowtham defeated Kendriya Vidayalaya ‘A’ Trimulgherry 4-3 in the penalty shootout after no goals were scored by either side in regulation time.

Prashanth, Rahul Kumar Singh, Sai Charan and Sadrach were on target for the winners while Rahul, Yeswanth and Rajee found the back of the net for KV.

Meanwhile, Kendriya Vidyalaya Trimulgherry’s ‘B’ team won the playoff for the third place, defeating Army Public School by a 2-0 margin.

The final began on an even footing with both sides merely probing their opponent’s defences. Gowtham and KV tried to get ahead as the first half drew to a close, but they took too long to shake off their initial defensive mindsets. Even in the second half, both sides made futile attempts at making their presence felt in the final. By the time the referee signalled an end to regulation time, several scoring attempts had been foiled.

In the penalty shootout, KV missed their first attempt from the spot. Prashanth put Gowtham ahead with a levelheaded effort. Rahul beat the goalkeeper for KV to make it 1-1 before Rahul Kumar Singh made it 2-1. Yeswanth scored KV’s second penalty but Sai Charan added to Gowtham’s advantage.

Rajee kept KV in the hunt with a brilliant strike while Sadrach made it 4-3 in Gowtham’s favour. KV then missed their final shot at the goal to hand a jubilant Gowtham the title.