A Night of High Drama in Haldwani
It was a match that had everything—yellow cards, substitutions, intense crowd energy, and a nail-biting penalty shootout. On a chilly 14-degree evening at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in Haldwani, Uttarakhand and Delhi battled fiercely for a spot in the finals of the 38th National Games 2025. With over 90 minutes of non-stop action, the game ended in a 1-1 draw, leading to a dramatic penalty shootout where Uttarakhand clinched victory 5-3.
First Half: Delhi Strikes First Amid Uttarakhand’s Possession
The match kicked off with Uttarakhand showing dominance in possession. Their midfielders controlled the game, making fluid passes and keeping Delhi on their toes. However, Delhi capitalized on their first real chance and stunned the home crowd with an early goal in the 23rd minute.
Adding to Uttarakhand’s woes, two of their players received yellow cards in the first half, increasing pressure on the home team. Despite their superior ball control, they struggled to convert chances into goals.
To shake things up, Uttarakhand made their first substitution in the 38th minute, bringing in Piyush Bhandari (#11) for Kamginsei Touthang (#20), hoping to strengthen their attack.
Second Half: Uttarakhand Fights Back
As the second half progressed, Uttarakhand's struggle to score continued. In the 70th minute, another substitution saw Lamlallian replacing Rituraj Mohan, a tactical move to boost their offense.
Then, the moment finally arrived. In the 73rd minute, Ayush Bisht, a substitute, found the back of the net, bringing Uttarakhand level at 1-1. The stadium erupted in cheers, as the local crowd sensed a comeback.
The remaining minutes saw a tense battle between Delhi’s goalkeeper Vansh Kaushal, who made some incredible saves, and Uttarakhand’s relentless attack, led by their captain Abhishek Rawat and striker Shailendra Singh Negi.
With neither team able to break the deadlock before the final whistle, the match headed to penalties.
Penalty Shootout: Uttarakhand Holds Nerve Under Pressure
Penalty shootouts are where legends are made, and this one was no different. The pressure was immense, with thousands of fans on their feet.
1st Penalty: Nirmal Singh Bisht scored for Uttarakhand (1-0)
2nd Penalty: Lalma from Delhi equalized (1-1)
3rd Penalty: Wahid Ali put Uttarakhand ahead (2-1)
4th Penalty: Delhi missed their second shot (Still 2-1 Uttarakhand)
5th Penalty: Ayush Bisht (who earlier scored in the match) converted another (3-1 Uttarakhand)
6th Penalty: Lalit Negi from Delhi kept them in the game (3-2)
7th Penalty: Mohammed Sami increased Uttarakhand’s lead (4-2)
8th Penalty: Delhi scored, making it 4-3
9th & Final Penalty: Anurag Singh Rawat sealed the game for Uttarakhand (5-3 Victory!)
Heroes of the Match
⭐ Ayush Bisht – Scored Uttarakhand’s crucial equalizer and a penalty goal
⭐ Abhishek Rawat (Captain) – Led from the front with a commanding presence
⭐ Virendra Pandey (Goalkeeper) – Made crucial saves in the penalty shootout
⭐ Vansh Kaushal (Delhi Goalkeeper) – Despite the loss, his performance was outstanding
The Atmosphere: A Night to Remember for Indian Football
The local pressure on Delhi was evident, as Haldwani turned into a football paradise for the night. The crowd’s energy matched European football atmospheres, proving that the sport has a growing audience in India.
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What’s Next?
Uttarakhand will now face their biggest challenge in the final, where they hope to carry forward this momentum and lift the 38th National Games trophy. Delhi, despite their loss, showed incredible grit and will return stronger in future tournaments.
Final Thoughts : Uttarakhand vs Delhi Semifinal
This semifinal was more than just a match—it was a test of character, resilience, and passion. Uttarakhand’s journey proves that in football, possession is important, but mental strength wins games.
As the sun sets on this thrilling encounter, one thing is certain—Indian football is on the rise, and this is just the beginning.
FAQs
🔹 Who won the Uttarakhand vs Delhi Semifinal in the 38th National Games 2025?
✔️ Uttarakhand won the match on penalties (5-3) after a 1-1 draw in regular time.
🔹 Who were the key players in the match?
✔️ Ayush Bisht, Abhishek Rawat (Captain), and Goalkeeper Virendra Pandey played crucial roles for Uttarakhand. Vansh Kaushal (Delhi’s goalkeeper) also had an excellent game.
🔹 How did Uttarakhand score their equalizing goal?
✔️ In the 73rd minute, Ayush Bisht scored after relentless attacking pressure.
🔹 How did the penalty shootout unfold?
✔️ Uttarakhand scored five out of five penalties, while Delhi missed one, leading to Uttarakhand’s victory.
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