The quarter-final stage of the prestigious 8th Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Memorial Football Tournament witnessed decisive action on Friday at Lucknow's Dilkusha Ground. Two teams, Lucknow Falcon FC and Mid Winter FC, delivered commanding performances to storm into the competition's semifinals, setting up thrilling clashes for a place in the final.
Lucknow Falcon FC's Dominant Display
In a highly anticipated local derby, Lucknow Falcon FC overpowered Lucknow Youth FC with a convincing 3-0 victory. The Falcons set the tone early, ensuring they controlled the match from the opening whistle. Striker Abhijeet broke the deadlock in just the 4th minute, giving his team a crucial early advantage that put immediate pressure on their opponents.
The match was effectively sealed in a blistering two-minute spell in the second half. The prolific Rihan emerged as the hero for Falcon FC, netting two quickfire goals in the 52nd and 53rd minutes. This rapid double strike demoralized Lucknow Youth FC and guaranteed Falcon FC's smooth passage into the last four of the tournament.
Mid Winter FC Joins Them in Semifinals
In the other quarter-final clash of the day, Mid Winter FC produced a solid 2-0 win against Excel Arena. Similar to the earlier match, Mid Winter FC seized the initiative early. Sudhanshu found the back of the net in the 10th minute, providing a perfect platform for his team to build upon.
Excel Arena fought to get back into the game, but Mid Winter FC's defense held firm. The result was put beyond any doubt as the match approached the hour mark. Shivansh scored the team's second goal in the 59th minute, cementing Mid Winter FC's well-deserved spot in the tournament semifinals alongside Lucknow Falcon FC.
Other Tournament Action
Friday's football action at the Dilkusha Ground also featured another closely contested match. Uttar Pradesh Police faced off against Guru Govind Singh Sports College in a tense encounter. The match was decided by a single, early goal. Saiyed scored the all-important winner for Uttar Pradesh Police in the 9th minute, proving to be the difference as they eked out a narrow victory.
The stage is now set for the semifinals of the 8th Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Memorial Football Tournament. With teams like Lucknow Falcon FC and Mid Winter FC in such strong scoring form, fans can expect high-intensity football as the competition reaches its climax at the historic Dilkusha Ground.
