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Bengaluru FC played out a 0-0 draw against RoundGlass Punjab FC, following which they went down 3-4 in the penalty shootout, in a semifinal encounter of the U-18 JSW Youth Cup in Bellary on Friday. RoundGlass Punjab FC keeper Aayush Deshwal was the hero of the match after saving a crucial penalty against Yaipathoi Magsatabam.
The Blue Colts started the game brightly and created the first opportunity of the evening when a long ball found Vinith Venkatesh in the 18 yard-box, but the forward’s shot on target was saved inside the first ten minutes by Aayush, who was in top form throughout the evening.
Both the goalkeepers put on a show in the semifinal, by creating incredible saves during the 90 minutes of gameplay. The second big save came from Manik Baliyan, who flew across the frame to deny Konsam Singh’s shot from outside the box near the half hour mark.
The Blue Colts and RoundGlass Punjab FC failed to break the deadlock in the first half, which had everything but a goal. Into the second half, Yaipathoi was played through on goal by Lalhmingchhuanga who was pulling the strings in midfield. The forward found himself in a 1v1 situation but his shot was saved by Aayush in the 63rd minute.
Lalthangliana came close to opening the scoring after 75 minutes when he attempted to score directly from a corner, but the inswinging shot which seemed destined to find the back of the net was pushed over the bar by Aayush.
The goalkeeping show went on when Manik pulled off an incredible double save with only ten minutes left to play. The referee blew the whistle for regulation time, signaling penalties to decide the outcome of the game.
RoundGlass Punjab FC scored all of their penalties while Bengaluru FC scored the first two before Yaipathoi and Rajanbir Singh missed from the spot, which saw the Blue Colts bow out of the tournament and RoundGlass Punjab FC book their place in the summit clash.
Earlier, Reliance Football Young Champs were in action against Dempo SC in the first semifinal, which ended in a 2-1 victory for the Young Champs courtesy goals from Karthick Thirumalai and Supratim Das.
RoundGlass Punjab FC will face Reliance Football Young Champs in the final of the U-18 JSW Youth Cup, while Bengaluru FC and Dempo SC will face off in a third-place encounter, on Sunday.
