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It was expected to be men against boys at the DSK Dream City Football Fields as the DSK Shivajians FC ‘B’ team, comprising of mostly the club’s all Indian Under-18 side took on former national champions Salgaocar FC.
The first half, entirely dominated by the Goan side saw some great saves from former Indian U-19 international goalkeeper Sayak Barai. But the deadlock was finally broken on the 17th minute with a great Gilbert Oliveira ball tapped in by Kamo Bayi.
With DSK Shivajians restricted to mostly counter attacks, Bayi doubled his tally when a fierce shot, although parried by Barai fell right into the big striker’s path. The deficit was halved, after a fantastic thirty yard effort by Meghalaya born Marbawiang left the visiting custodian stranded.
Bouyed by the half time strike, Notea tapped in a great ball by Ayemi to level the scoreline for the hosts. With a spring in their step, DSK Shivajians threw everything forward, with visiting coach Norbert Gonsalves cutting an increasingly anxious figure on the touchline.
In the 70th minute however, a mix-up between DSK Shivajians’ young defenders however, gave Bayi the opportunity to complete his hattrick, one which he coolly took. Up by a goal, it was now that the experience of the visiting team came into play, with Ashlon Oliveira restoring their two goal cushion on the 77th minute.
Asserting their physical superiority, the Greens, resorted to long ball football, with Bayi’s 90th minute half volley proving the final nail in the coffin for the DSK Shivajians’. With the match ending at 5-2, Salgaocar FC completed the semifinal lineup. For the young boys of DSK Shivajians, however, it was a performance that would give them much to look forward to in the next few years.
The Early kickoff saw two of the newer entrants in Indian football go head to head. With Ozone FC Bengaluru fielding a strong line-up, boasting the likes of World Cupper Cornell Glen and the experienced Chika Wali, it was AFC Fateh Hyderabad who started off the brighter of the two sides.
With some slick passing moves, the side showed some fantastic creativity in attack, with Manipuri Bonison causing all the sorts of problems for rival custodian Nikhil Bernard.
As the match progressed, however, Fateh’s defensive line of Gurtej Singh and Adam Mitter came under increasing pressure from the likes of former Indian international C.S. Sabeeth and Glen. With the two pairing up as a traditional number 9 and 10 partnership, the deadlock was finally broken when Glen found himself open to tap in a great pass by Sabeeth. Here on in, it was absolute domination for the Bangalore side, with Fateh Hyderabad’s attackers proving mere spectators.
Much of the second half as well, was mostly a midfield battle, with neither team able to retain possession for a long time. Fateh Hyderabad, however, looked the more likely of the two sides to score next, until a well worked corner routine saw former India Youth international Anto Xavier put the ball in the back of the net for the Bengaluru based side. Adam Mitter’s goal for Fateh Hyderabad in the 90th minute was in vain as former Trinidad & Tobago international Glen scored with virtually the last kick of the ball to send Ozone FC Bengaluru through to the semifinals.
The semifinals will be held on November 18, with hosts DSK Shivajians FC ‘A’ taking on Minerva Academy FC at 4pm, while in the second semifinal Ozone FC Bengaluru face Salgaocar FC at 7:30pm.
