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The second match day of the U-13 Youth League Final Round had a lot of excitement and action. There were a total of five matches played in three different venues across Kolkata which produced a whopping 18 goals.
While Minerva Punjab FC and Sudeva FC continued to dominate the competition respectively in Group A and Group C; SAI Kolkata, Dempo SC and Aizawl FC kept semifinal hopes alive with impressive performances.
The day began with a Group A clash between Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools and Aizawl FC at Barasat Stadium, where Aizawl FC had the last laugh thanks to an own-goal by BBFS defender Abhishek Kumar Tiwari in second-half stoppage time.
After a cagey opening period, Aizawl FC began to get a grip on the game and began testing BBFS keeper Kunal Singh through the likes of Isac Zomuanpuia, Amosa Lalnundanga and Jerome Lalawmpuia. The latter had a shot from just outside the penalty area palmed away by the BBFS gloves-man around the 20th-minute mark, which was Aizawl FC’s most notable chance of the first half.
BBFS for their part, offered the occasional threat on the counter, though lone striker Chandan Nayek did not quite receive the service he needed to keep the Aizawl FC defence on their toes.
Overall, a lacklustre first-half ended goalless with no major chances at either end. The second-half continued in a similar style, with neither side really able to take control of the game and assert any pressure and with the match looking destined for a draw Aizawl found the winner with seconds left when Abhishek Tiwari put the ball into his own net while trying to clear Alex Ramdinthara’s goalbound effort.
Elsewhere, SAI – Kolkata registered their first win of the campaign in scintillating fashion with a 5-0 hammering of Roots Football School in a Group C tie at VYBK Practice Ground.
Looking to stamp their authority on proceedings, SAI had the RFS defence under all kinds of pressure early on and took a two-goal lead within first six minutes thanks to a brace by Debajit Roy (2nd & 6th minute) before Mohammed Aziz Islam made it 3-0 in the 25th minute.
SAI started the second period the same as the first and had their third goal of the morning in the 39th minute through Albat Sangma. The massacre was completed in the 58th minute as SAI smashed in their fifth after Farman Ansari scored from a free-kick.
The performance was a perfect response by SAI – Kolkata, who suffered a narrow defeat against Sudeva FC on an opening day.
Meanwhile, Dempo SC edged past Shillong Lajong FC 2-1 in Group B to keep their semifinal hopes alive.
Mangkara Sambor Sun’s 27th-minute own-goal put the Goan side ahead before Hamedamanbha Wahlang levelled matters for Lajong FC in the 52nd minute. However, Dwayne Pereira Neto confirmed full three points for Dempo SC with a 62nd-minute strike at Howrah Stadium.
Minerva Punjab FC, on the other hand, gave Reliance Foundation Young Champs a 5-0 beating at Barasat Stadium to continue their dominance in Group A.
It was a ruthless performance by Minerva Punjab FC, who were galvanised by Tongbram Maheron Singh’s superb showing. The rest of the team also covered itself in glory in what was a profitable afternoon for the Punjab outfit. The Big win was powered by a brace from Maheron (17th and 52nd minute) along with goals from Himanshu Jangra (23rd), Naoba Sanabam Meitei (61st) and Longjam Swami Singh (70th).
The last Group C fixture of the day saw Sudeva FC took a Chennaiyin FC at VYBK Practice Ground, where Sudeva FC put yet another stellar performance to came out victorious 4-0.
Three goals in the opening half made it very easy for Sudeva FC against a Chennaiyin FC side that put up little resistance and offered very little threat in attack.
Sudeva FC started the game on the front-foot and took an early lead in the 3rd minute through Dizianlung Gonmei which was increased by Shubho Paul and R. Lalbiakliana respectively in the 14th and 21st minute. In the second-half, Subho put the result beyond doubt with a 66th-minute strike.
