KCFL set for final playoff match, Baramulla Strikers face Bandipora Blasters in Qualifier 2 today

Srinagar, Jul 2: The stage is set for the final knockout encounter of the Kashmir Champions Football League (KCL) 2026, organised by Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council, as Baramulla Strikers take on Bandipora Blasters in Qualifier 2 on Friday, July 3, at the Synthetic Turf Football Ground, TRC Srinagar. Scheduled to kick off at 6:30 PM under floodlights, the high-stakes encounter, as per a statement, will determine the second finalist of the tournament. The winner will earn the coveted opportunity to face Srinagar United, who secured a berth in the final after defeating Bandipora Blasters 3-1 in Qualifier 1. With a place in the championship match at stake, both Baramulla Strikers and Bandipora Blasters are expected to leave no stone unturned in what promises to be an intense and fiercely contested battle. Having displayed remarkable performances throughout the league stage and playoffs, both teams will look to seize their final opportunity to keep their title hopes alive. The Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council expresses satisfaction over the tremendous response the tournament has received from football enthusiasts. The playoff matches have witnessed large crowds thronging the TRC Synthetic Turf Ground, with spectators turning up in impressive numbers every evening to enjoy the thrilling under-lights football action. The electrifying atmosphere created by the fans has added a new dimension to the competition and reflects the growing popularity of football across the Union Territory. The Council believes that the overwhelming public participation by district teams, which is a unique kind of initiative taken by the government, reflects the success of the Kashmir Champions Football League in promoting football, identifying emerging local talent and showcasing a vibrant sporting culture in Jammu & Kashmir. The winner of Friday's Qualifier 2 will join Srinagar United in the much-anticipated final of the inaugural Kashmir Champions Football League, setting the stage for a fitting conclusion to one of the biggest football tournaments organised by the Jammu & Kashmir Sports Council.