The week-long tournament began at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium with strong showings from defending champions and spirited underdogs
New Delhi, July 21 (TheTrendingPeople): The Oriental Cup 2025 began with an action-packed opening day at Dr. Ambedkar Stadium, where defending champions Sanskriti International School (Girls) and Mother’s International School (MIS) stamped their authority with commanding wins in the opening fixtures of this annual inter-school football tournament.
The event was inaugurated by Anandi Barua, former international footballer and head coach of India’s senior women’s national team, who performed the ceremonial kickoff. Applauding the spirit of the competition, she said, “The Oriental Cup is a testament to what dedicated community-led sports initiatives can achieve. Watching these young boys and girls compete with such discipline, energy, and skill is a true joy. Platforms like this are vital for nurturing talent and building a vibrant football culture at the grassroots level in India.”
MIS began the day by edging out Government Co-ed Senior Secondary School, Dwarka in a tightly contested boys’ match that went into penalties after a 1-1 draw. Atiksh Kumar scored for MIS before Tejas leveled the scores for Dwarka. MIS eventually sealed the win 3-2 in the shootout. In the girls’ fixture, Mother’s International delivered a more comfortable 2-0 win over the same opponent, with Japjit Kaur opening the scoring and Prasansha Jha adding the second.
Sanskriti International School's girls’ team, who are the defending champions, showcased the most dominant performance of the day. They thrashed Amity International School, Saket 5-0. Amina Abdali starred with four goals, while Diksha Joshi added the fifth to complete the rout. Sanskriti’s boys’ team also picked up a narrow win, beating Amity Saket 1-0 through a penalty converted by Aarav Mishra.
The boys’ fixture between The Air Force School, Subroto Park and Kendriya Vidyalaya, JNU delivered edge-of-the-seat excitement. After a thrilling 3-3 draw in regulation time, Air Force School emerged victorious in the penalty shootout with a 4-1 scoreline. Jaabir Singh Sawhney, Arnab Kashyap, and Madhav Singh were on the scoresheet for the Air Force team, while KV JNU’s Abhinav scored a brace and Yogesh added a goal to take the match to penalties.
In the final boys’ match of the day, Amity International, Noida defeated Kendriya Vidyalaya, RK Puram 1-0, thanks to a decisive first-half goal from Arnav Kumar.
Apart from the main fixtures, an exhibition match between two NGOs—STRIVE and MIMA—offered a glimpse into how football is transforming young lives off the pitch. STRIVE won the match 4-1, with goals from Akib, Farukh, and Vansh (2). Ishant scored the sole goal for MIMA.
A total of seven official matches were played on Monday, setting the stage for a high-energy week ahead. The Oriental Cup continues on Tuesday, featuring teams from Tagore International School, Sapphire International School, DPS Vasant Kunj, Vinay Nagar Bengali Senior Secondary School, and DPS RK Puram in both boys’ and girls’ categories. The boys’ teams of Father Agnel School Noida, DAV Public School Sahibabad, Navy School, and Gyan Bharati School will also be in action, along with the girls’ team of Government Girls Senior Secondary School.
Final Thoughts by The Trending People:
The Oriental Cup 2025 has opened with a powerful reminder of how school sports can unite, inspire, and spotlight the next generation of footballers in India. With thrilling penalty shootouts, star performances, and passionate support, the opening day reflects the tournament's growing legacy. As more schools join the fray in the coming days, the energy and intensity on the pitch promise to elevate youth football to new heights in the capital.