The Hindu : Sport / Football : New Delhi Heroes ends 50-year wait

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New Delhi Heroes ends 50-year wait

Special Correspondent

— Photo: Sandeep Saxena

CELEBRATION TIME: New Delhi Heroes players are ecstatic after their triumph.

NEW DELHI: Rishi Kapoor did everything to motivate Digi Max Indian National with a sterling display and yet ended up on the losing side. On the other hand, Gyan Mayon made the most of his lone chance with a sensational strike to help Osian New Delhi Heroes win the SAIL-ONGC-DSA Senior Division football title here on Monday.

ND Heroes waited 50 years to win the title. Two stalwarts from the past — former DSA President Umesh Sood and football scribe Kewal Kaushik — were present at the venue to celebrate their club’s triumph in front of a 2000-strong audience. “Long wait but worth it,” was how Mr. Sood looked at the match, which, sadly, did not live up to the expectations.

Playing his heart out

On a turf devoid of grass, the teams set a scorching pace in the initial period but failed to maintain the momentum. Nationals dominated through the enterprising and untiring Kapoor. There was not a single miss-pass from the reliable medio but his forwards let the side down. Lack of support from the midfield was the a concern for ND Heroes but Mayon showed amazing alacrity in driving home the match-winner seven minutes from the final whistle.

ND Heroes came close to scoring early in the match but Baba Tunde broke into the penalty box and shot wide. The play was dominated by Nationals but a goal remained elusive even though Kappor worked hard.

Thundering volley

As the game drifted towards a possible extra-time, came the thundering volley from Mayon. It was substitute Amit Ganguly who laid the foundation with a swift run on the right.

His measured cross flew to the top of the box where Mayon unleashed a volley that left goalkeeper Rajat Guha dazed. There was little time for Nationals to entertain a comeback as Heroes celebrated a dream it had nurtured for 50 years.

The following received individual awards: Rajat Guha (Indian National, best goalkeeper); Jasbir Singh (Ahbab CC, best defender); Arup Sarkar (Tarun Sangha, best midfielder); Harvinder Singh (ND Heroes, best forward); Chima Okorie (ND Heroes, best coach); D. K. Bisht (best referee); Royal FC (Fair Play ‘A’ Div.); Trackon Garhwal Heroes (Fair Play Sr. Div.).

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