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The group stage matches of the inaugural U-13 Youth League’s Final Round in Kolkata have been concluded on Thursday, May 3. A total of ten teams took to the field on Match Day 3 hoping to make it to the semifinals and the four teams who have managed to earn their spot are Minerva Punjab FC, Mohammedan Sporting Club, Sudeva FC and SAI – East Zone.
Group A saw Minerva Punjab progress to the last-four of the competition, as the Punjab-based side smashed six goals past Aizawl FC without reply at Barasat Stadium. The goals for Minerva Punjab FC – who topped the group with nine points from three matches – came from Naoba Sanabam Meitei (18th & 50th minute), Himanshu Jangra (26th, 36th), Tongbram Maheron Singh (32nd) and Kawaljeet Singh (46th).
Sudeva FC, on the other hand, put on a brilliant all-round show as they demolished Roots Football School 9-1 at VYBK Practice Ground to earn a place in the knockout stage as Group C champions. The star of the show was Shubho Paul (17th, 48th, 50th & 68th minute) who struck four times and was well supported by Sunshrutya Rawat (16th, 30th) and Dizianlung Gonmei (60th, 70+4th) who scored a brace each along with Phuntshok Wangyal Lama’s (66th) lone goal. Meanwhile, Pranav B. was on target for Roots Football School’s consolation goal.
Elsewhere, Mohammedan Sporting Club grabbed the top spot in Group B despite losing the last group match 1-0 against Shillong Lajong FC. The Young Panthers required a draw from their final group game at Howrah Stadium to earn a place in the semifinals but they ended up losing the match courtesy Gladdy Nelchen Kharbuli’s 43rd-minute strike. However, Mohammedan Sporting still make it to the semifinals thanks to a better goal difference.
SAI – East Zone, meanwhile, sneaked into the semifinals as the best second-placed team after thrashing Chennaiyin FC 6-0 in a Group C tie played at VYBK Practice Ground. SAI who led 3-0 at half-time scored through Farman Ansari (4th minute), Rakesh Kumar Bhuyia (8th, 37th) Debajit Roy (14th) and Mohammad Aziz Islam (65th, 70th).
The last Group A fixture between Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYS) and Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools (BBFS) at Barasat Stadium was a mere formality as both teams were already knocked out the competition coming into the match. However, BBFS produced a brilliant first-half performance to blank the RYFC 4-0 and finished their campaign in third place in Group A with three points. BBFS scored through Arjun Bhatia (9th, 17th minute) and Chandan Nayek (12th, 30th).
Both semifinals will be played on Sunday 4:00 pm at Barasat Stadium and Howrah Stadium respectively. Minerva Punjab will face Sudeva FC at the Barasat Stadium while Mohammedan SC will collide with SAI East Zone at the Howrah Stadium.
