The Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) won the All India Football Federation (AIFF) U-15 Junior League by defeating the Football 4 Change Academy at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Amritsar by 4-2 in penalties following a goalless draw in the regulation time on Saturday.
RFYC produced an impressive run right from the start of the tournament, where they finished atop the standings in the regional round that was held in Mumbai. RFYC and Mumbai City FC qualified for the final round of the tournament that was held in Amritsar.
They engaged in three group stage encounters, beating Mumbai City FC and Football 4 Change by 2-0 and 1-0, before losing to FC Goa, but still qualifying by finishing second. In the quarterfinals, they beat Punjab FC with a late winner and overcame FC Madras by 4-0 in the semi-finals. The final against Football 4 Change was a hotly contested encounter, going down the wire but the RFYC boys held their nerves in penalties to put four past the opposition’s goalkeeper and saving twice to end up victorious in the shootout.
“We had to face some really good teams, at this level the talent is good and all the games were like a final for us. It is important that all the players get time and experience, this is what we believe. We must be able to play good football and allow all the players to contribute and feel what it is like to play against the top 16 teams of India,” RFYC U-15 Head Coach Devan Daniel KP said after the tournament.
He added, “The boys were so cohesive and mature to step up at every game. In the knock out phase it just gets more thrilling, you don’t know how far you can reach so what is important is that when everyone gets their moment, to be able to stand out under pressure and express themselves.”
The tactician added that he was pleased that the players stuck to their style of football even when certain moments across the competition weren’t really favouring them. According to him, they embraced a solution-oriented approach and displayed an indomitable spirit to constantly overcome challenges to emerge as the champions in the country in the U-15 age group this season.