Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
The Final Round of the inaugural U-13 Youth League began in Kolkata with a bang on Sunday, April 29. Ten teams were in action on the opening day with a total of five matches played respectively at the Barasat Stadium and VYBK Practice Ground.
Minerva Punjab FC and Mohammedan Sporting Club set the pace early with dominant performances.
In Group B Mohammedan Sporting Club and Dempo SC reignited the classic Bengal-Goa rivalry when both teams faced off at Barasat Stadium.
Mohammedan Sporting started the match aggressively and took a 7th minute lead through winger Nabakumar Satra. Having taken the lead, Mohammedan Sporting pushed forward in numbers but failed to increase the lead further in first-half. However, Mohammedan Sporting’s persistent efforts finally paid off in the 52nd minute when substitute Mohammed Zeedan found the target to confirm full three points for the home side.
Meanwhile earlier in the day, Minerva Punjab FC faced Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in the Group A opener at the Barasat Stadium, with Minerva Punjab FC coming out victorious 3-1. Minerva Punjab FC drew the first blood through their skipper Himanshu Jangra in the 24th minute, however, his BBFS counterpart Ranjan Soren levelled matters just three minutes later. Nonetheless, a second-half brace from Tongbram Maheron Singh (44th and 60th) handed Minerva Punjab FC all three points.
Elsewhere, Roots Football Academy and Chennaiyin FC shared the spoils in Group C opener. Mohamed Liyaakath earned Chennaiyin FC a point when he cancelled out B. Gambheer’s first-half stoppage time strike at VYBK Practice Ground.
In other Group C fixture which took place in the evening at the VYBK Practice Ground, Delhi-based Sudeva FC edged past SAI – Kolkata 2-1. Sudeva FC took an early lead through Aryan Khokhar in the 6th minute before Subho Paul doubled the lead in the 38th minute. SAI did not go down without a fight and reduced the margin through Subhajit Barman in second-half stoppage time.
The last fixture of the day was a Group A tie between Reliance Foundation Young Champs and Aizawl FC which ended in a 1-1 draw at the Barasat Stadium under floodlights. Razibul Mistry gave RFYS the lead in the 27th minute but Aizawl FC responded in the very next minute and equalised through Lal Hriatrenga. Both teams had few more chances in the second-half but failed to score the winning goal.
