Acme Sports Club came from behind to clinch their maiden state-level trophy by beating Students FC, Trichy 4-2 via tie-breaker after the match ended in a 2-2 draw. Ajmeer scored both the goals for Acme to level the score after the Trichy outfit was leading by 2 goals.
Students FC took the lead in the first half and consolidated their position before the half time whistle by adding a second goal. After the break, Acme came out with renewed energy and forced the opponents on the backfoot by scoring within two minutes. Raja Prashant got the ball in the midfield and put a through ball to Ajmeer who lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper to raise hopes of a comeback. With time running out, Students FC was holding off Acme amidst tremendous pressure and finally the equaliser came in the 67th minute with three minutes left for the final whistle. The architect of this goal was substitute Kumar (who had replaced Ashok). The 14-year old playing in a wide midfield position in the left received the ball from Saravanan and placed a pinpoint cross to Ajmeer who again lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to send the match into penalty shootout.
In the tie-breaker, Rajan, Kumar, Ajmeer and Velmurugan scored all their kicks and Students FC could convert only 2 out of their 4 kicks with goalkeeper Prem saving one of the shots. Ajmeer was given the player of the match award during the presentations for his crucial strikes although Kumar was the toast of the local crowd.