Czions v Spartans - The footballing tradition continues...

The inaugural match football match between the Juniors and Seniors has been a tradition at the Institute of Management, Nirma University and it is this match that sparks off the rivalry that gets hotter and hotter over the course of the academic year.


Today's match between the Juniors team (Spartans) and the Seniors (Czions) proved to be the perfect trendsetter for the soccer season at Planet IMNU. The match lived up to the hype and contrary to expectations, the Spartans got the better of the Czions in the penalty shootout. This is only the second time in the history of Institute of Management, Nirma University that the Seniors have been beaten by the Juniors in the inaugural match.


In a closely contested match, both teams were equally matched and gave it their all. Spurred on by a lively crowd of supporters, the first half failed to produce any goals for either side. After the breather, the Czions drew first blood when playmaker Kapil Halmare towered over the opposition defenders in a goalmouth melee to head home from close range. The Spartans pressed on, and deservingly found the equaliser when Omkar Joshi's free kick found the top left corner of net.


In the ensuing penalty shootout, Oneil Jhaveri and Gazi Sheikh converted successfully for the Spartans while Vaibhav Gupta (aka Kotler) pulled one for the Czions. The star of the day was the Spartans goalkeeper Chandramauli Sharma who stood like a rock under the bar, blocking four kicks and that clearly made all the difference.

All in all, it was a great match with the Spartans winning it 3-2. An exciting sports season at Planet IMNU is in store...