Srinagar, Oct 20: The stage is set for the final of Saif-ud-Din memorial knockout football tournament to be played at SP college ground here on Friday.
The title clash will be played between high flying JK Forest football team and well known private club of Valley Iqbal Sports at 3 PM on Friday.
Though on paper Forest looks the dominant side but nothing can be said about the Iqbal Sports which is known for throwing out surprises. Iqbal Sports is leading side among the private clubs of Valley having won number of prestigious title during past many years, notable among them being last years All India Police Football tournament. In addition to that it has been the main supplier of young talent for corporate and departmental clubs here. Keeping that view Iqbal will leave no stone unturned to make title their own and make a statement to big teams like Police, Bank that it is still force to reckon with.
On the other side JK Forest known for their free flowing attacking is high on confidence after having grabbed first Greater Kashmir knockout football tournament title recently. It will be fourth back to back final for Forest side this year. They won Police tournament, lost in final of Super-League to Police and then went on to beat in final of Greater Kashmir knockout football tournament. The attacking forward line combined with talented midfielders make Forest side dangerous side to tackle on the field. They never stay back and always play attacking football whatever the composition of opposite be. It is this quality of Forests play which has won it huge admirers.
In the eyes of experts the match will be cat walk for Forest side and only way to stop them for Iqbal Sports is to play pure defensive football.
“Iqbal Sports can’t match Forests attack with attack. Their only hope is to restrict themselves in their own half their by frustrating young un-experienced lot Forest side. If Iqbal will be successful in holding forest in first half then their will win half of the mental battle and have little chance of going on to win” said NIS and AFC B licence Coach Sajid Dar.
The event is being organised by SP College in collaboration with J&K football Association.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 20 Oct 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 21 Oct 2011 00:00:00 IST