In a thrilling finale at Kolkata’s iconic St. Paul Cathedral, Delhi’s Avengers emerged victorious at the Red Bull Four 2 Score India Finals. Their remarkable performance secured them the national championship and a prestigious opportunity to represent India at the World Finals in Leipzig, Germany, this August. Competing against top teams from across the country, the Avengers showcased exceptional skill and determination, culminating in a dramatic 1v1 tiebreaker win in the grand finale. Their journey now continues on the global stage, where they will compete against the best teams from around the world.
The Road to Glory
The journey to the national championship was a formidable one, beginning with nearly 1500 teams from across ten cities. The Avengers, consisting of Sameer Lal (28, captain), Gaurav Lal (25), Aman Sharma (24), Mahip Adhikari (25), and Ayush Saini (24), showcased exceptional skill and teamwork. Their path to victory started in the Delhi qualifiers, where they faced and overcame intense competition to earn their spot in the India Finals.
The Competition
The finals in Kolkata brought together ten of the best teams from across India: Wall Attack (Kolkata), Tenacious 5 (Pune), Blue Diamond Ernakulam (Kochi), Lincoln FC (Goa), PJP FA FC (Guwahati), Friend’s United (Bengaluru), FC Cecilians (Bhubaneswar), 404 Not Found (Lucknow), BYB FC (Indore), and Avengers (Delhi). The iconic St. Paul Cathedral provided a stunning backdrop for the event, adding to the grandeur and intensity of the competition.
Group Stage Battles
In the group stage, the Avengers displayed resilience and strategic prowess. They finished as runners-up in Group A with one win and three draws, setting up a semifinal clash against Indore’s BYB FC. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, leading to a nerve-wracking 1v1 tiebreaker, where Mahip Adhikari clinched the winning goal for the Avengers.
The Grand Finale
The grand finale saw the Avengers face off against Group A toppers, Goa’s Lincoln FC. The match was an intense, end-to-end affair, with both sides demonstrating relentless effort and skill. Despite their best attempts, the game ended in a 0-0 draw after the regulation 10 minutes, leading to another decisive 1v1 tiebreaker. Drawing from their semifinal experience, the Avengers once again rose to the occasion. Mahip Adhikari, standing tall under pressure, scored the winning goal, securing the national championship for the Avengers and a coveted spot in the World Finals.
A Dream Come True
Sameer Lal, captain of the Avengers, expressed his elation and pride: “We’re a group of friends who’ve been playing together for over 7 years now – in parks and sometimes in local Delhi-based tournaments. Over the years, we kept working hard and kept getting better. Our journey started in Delhi and now we’re here. To play in the World Finals, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for us and it’s all because of football. It will be an amazing experience to play against teams from top countries like Spain, Brazil, and of course, Germany. We started as an amateur team and we never imagined that we would be representing India one day. We could not have asked for more.”
Lal also reminisced about their journey in 2020: “In 2020, we won the Delhi Qualifiers and made it to the National Finals but due to the pandemic, the tournament was called off. I think God had bigger plans for us. We’re lucky that Red Bull is doing what no other brand is doing – organizing a tournament like Four 2 Score at a global level, taking end-to-end care of teams like us and giving amateur footballers a chance to live their dream. I hope Red Bull keep organizing tournaments like these for the future generations as well – a big thank you to them!”
The Red Bull Four 2 Score Format
Red Bull Four 2 Score is renowned for its unique format, which embodies Red Bull’s ‘power football’ philosophy. The 4v4 matches are played in 10-minute rounds with no breaks and no goalkeepers, emphasizing agility, strategy, and relentless pace. Goals scored during the first and last minute count as double, adding an extra layer of excitement. In the event of a tie, tiebreakers are decided by a 1v1 showdown, where a player from each team competes to score the winning goal.
Looking Ahead
As the Avengers prepare for the World Finals in Leipzig, Germany, they carry with them the hopes and dreams of amateur footballers across India. Their journey from local parks in Delhi to an international stage epitomizes the spirit of determination, teamwork, and passion that Red Bull Four 2 Score seeks to celebrate.
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