Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Bengaluru FC’s U-18 squad put on a show in the second half and picked up all three points against Reliance Foundation Young Champs in the JSW Youth Cup at the JSW Township on Thursday, March 17. Goals from Basudev CM (70′), Lalpekhlua (80′) and Lalhmingchhuanga F (87′) ensured that the Blue Colts came out victorious, after Alwinson Bareh (53′) and Karthick Thirumalai (86′) found the net for Reliance Foundation Young Champs.
The game began with both teams battling for possession in the middle of the park, and chances fell for both sides with the Blue Colts coming the closest after a looping free-kick bounced off the crossbar at the half-hour mark. Reliance Foundation Young Champs came close on two occasions, but Blue Colts’ ‘keeper Manik Baliyan stood tall to make sure that the scores were level at half time.
The second half began with higher intensity with both the teams pushing for the opener. Reliance Foundation Young Champs finally broke the deadlock when Alwinson took a shot from 30 yards out, as the ball fizzed past Baliyan and rattled the underside of the crossbar before bouncing past the line to make it 1-0 in the 53rd minute. The Blue Colts responded immediately by bringing on Basudev only minutes later. The forward made an instant impact, by helping out the frontline and being a menace in the Reliance Foundation Young Champs box.
Close to the 70th minute, Lalpekhlua picked up the ball on the left wing and charged at the Reliance Foundation Young Champs backline before putting in a low cross for Basudev, who slotted past Aniket Ghosh in goal to make it 1-1.
Lalpekhlua continued to put the pressure on the defenders and found the net just 10 minutes later. The pacey forward, having cut in on his favoured right foot, curled one into the top corner to give Bengaluru FC the lead for the first time in the game.
Reliance Foundation Young Champs won a corner in the 85th minute and converted with a header from Karthick to make it 2-2. Bengaluru FC refused to back down, and continued to push for the winner.
On as a substitute, Monirul Molla, played a through ball for Lalhmingchhuanga, who rolled it under the goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Bengaluru FC kept their composure and controlled the game till the final whistle to ensure their first win of the U-18 JSW Youth Cup.
Bengaluru FC next face SESA Football Academy at the same venue on March 21.
