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The Chennaiyin FC Under-13 team is set to feature in the 2018-19 Hero Sub-Junior League final round that commences in Goa next week. Chennaiyin FC qualified for their second consecutive final round appearance after finishing second in the Chennai zone with six wins from eight games. The Chennaiyin FC U-13 boys arrived in Goa earlier this week on Tuesday and began preparations ahead of their final round opener on Monday, May 13.
Last year in their debut campaign, the Chennaiyin FC U-13s were eliminated from the final round group stage after a draw and two defeats, having qualified with a 100% record in the Chennai zone. This time around their aim will be go further, and they are pitted in Group A alongside Kolkata side Southern Samity, Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) and the side that finishes top of the Play-Off Round Group A. Either Cochin’s FACT Football (FF) Academy or the Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) State Football Academy will progress as Play-Off Round Group A winners with the third team Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools out of contention after having lost to the other two. FF Academy and J&K State Football Academy face off on Saturday, May 11 for that final Group A spot.
Chennaiyin FC’s opening fixture is against RFYC on Monday, May 13, followed by clashes with the Play-Off Round Group A winners and Southern Samity on Wednesday, May 15 and Friday, May 17 respectively. All three of Chennaiyin FC’s group games in the final round will be played at 8am at venues around Goa. The group winners will progress to the semis against the Group C winners on Monday, May 20. The final will be contested on Wednesday, May 22 at the Don Bosco Ground.
“Our U-13 boys have been really consistent over both the seasons they have participated in the Sub-Junior League. This is yet another opportunity for them to test their mettle against the country’s best clubs and their aim should be to progress to the semis as group winners. It is in such competitions that development meets competitive spirit, and we must nurture our boys to compete hard. As that is what will aid their development,” said Syed Sabir Pasha, Chennaiyin FC’s Technical Director of Youth Development and First Team Assistant Coach, while wishing the U-13 boys the best.
Chennaiyin FC are the third-highest goalscorers across all zones with 41 goals from eight zonal games, with ten different scorers getting onto the scoresheet. Striker K. Karmugilan from Puducherry was their top-scorer with seven goals. Midfielders K. Srinith and M. Ajay Kumar were not far behind with six goals each. At the other end, Chennaiyin FC had the best defensive record in the Chennai zone with only three goals conceded.
Majority of the CFC U-13 squad is comprised of Tamil Nadu talent, with 16 of the 19-man squad hailing from the state. And their aim will be to make their city and state proud at the national level!
Chennaiyin FC Under-13s Squad
Goalkeeper
R. Ajay Kumar (Chennai)
Defenders
Shubhankar Rajesh Gopali (Mumbai), A. Mohan Raj (Chennai), S. Nagulan (Coimbatore), Akash Mathi (C) (Chennai), R.S. Preyarhanjan (Coimbatore)
Midfielders
M. Ajay Kumar (Chennai), K. Srinith (Chennai), S. Varun Kumar (Chennai), Josemariyaraj (Chennai), J. Elvis Nathaniel (Chennai), Md. Irfan Salaudeen (Chennai), D. Vishal (Chennai), S. Sanjay (Coimbatore), Pranay Santosh (Kerala)
Forwards
G. Arulesh (Chennai), K. Karmugilan (Pondicherry), D. Karan Chaktravarthy (Coimbatore), E. Kannan (Chennai)
