The talented boys from the Reliance Foundation Young Champs programme dominated the 2016 Junior Soccer Premier League (JSPL) at the Railway Football Ground in Mumbai on Sunday and emerged victorious in both the Under-12 and Under-14 categories. Organised by Saran Sports, it was a 5-a-side tournament for both boys and girls with two halves of seven and a half minutes each. Having gone in with three teams – ‘A’ and ‘B’ teams in the Under-14 age group as well as one Under-12 team, the gifted youngsters from RFYC brushed aside their opponents en route to clinching the trophies in both divisions for boys. Each team was placed in groups of three with the winners from each group qualifying for the semi-final stage.

RFYC Under-12 team 

The Under-12 team displayed truly scintillating form and didn’t even concede a single goal. They began by beating Aditya Birla School’s Under-12 team 4-0 before emerging victors by a whopping scoreline of 9-0 against Gopi Birla that put them into the semis. They took on Campion’s Under-12 team in the semi-final and made light work of them as they registered a 5-0 win. The final saw them lock horns with Mumbai International School whom the young champs beat 6-0 with three goals in each half.

RFYC Under-14 ‘A’ team 

The RF Young Champs’ Under-14 ‘A’ team emerged as eventual winners after a series of dazzling performances, beginning with a 7-0 rout of Gopi Birla’s Under-14s. Having received a ‘bye’ in their next group match, the young champs then took on Singapore International School in the semi-final and breezed into the final with a 9-0 win. The final saw them take on NSS Hill Springs, and the young champs made a positive start to the game by taking an early lead, which they kept intact till half-time. Hill Springs came back strong in the second period to equalise and make it 1-1 but RFYC’s ‘A’ team rallied to score two more goals and sail into a 3-1 lead. Hill Springs did pull another back but the talented Under-14s from the Reliance Foundation ran out 3-2 winners and were crowned champions. 

RFYC Under-14 ‘B’ team 

RFYC’s Under-14 ‘B’ team won its first group match 1-0 against Mumbai International School and drew their second 1-1 against NSS Hill Springs. Unfortunately, the ‘B’ team missed out on qualification for the semis due to a lower goal difference, paving the way for NSS Hill Springs into the semis where they were beaten by the ‘A’ team.