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Mumbai City FC, RF Young Champs star in goal-fests in RFDL National Championship
Mumbai, 1 May, 2023: Mumbai City FC and Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) emerged victorious in two high-scoring encounters in Mumbai in the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) on Monday.
First, the Islanders defeated Velsao SCC in a high-octane clash early in the morning in a game that Mumbai won by 5-3. The home side didn’t start the match on the best of notes as a rather avoidable defensive error saw them conceding a spot-kick to the opposition in the 13th minute. Velsao forward Meuton Fernandes stepped up to convert the opportunity and got his side ahead pretty early in the contest.
However, Mumbai got their act together as the game progressed with forward Mustafa Shaikh netting in the 39th minute to go into the half-time with the scores level at 1-1. Velsao came out of the break with some renewed energy and Fernandes optimised that momentum to find the back of the net yet again in the 50th minute to earn the lead back for his side in the game.
But, Mumbai completely dominated the following phase of about 20 minutes with Shaikh again equalising in the 55th minute. Mumbai’s star forward Ayush Chikkhara bagged a brace with twin strikes in the 61st and the 68th minutes respectively to ensure that the Islanders entered the final quarter of the game with a definite stronghold over the proceedings.
Velsao’s Fernandes refused to give up though, bringing up his hat-trick with an incredible goal in the 70th minute that brought his team within touching distance of walking away with at least a draw from this game. Eventually, Mumbai’s substitute forward Harsh Patil dampened any hopes of the same by coming off the bench to score in the 87th minute and the full-time whistle was blown with Mumbai taking away two points from this encounter.
RFYC rely on subs to edge past East Bengal
Later in the day, RFYC sparked a terrific comeback in the second-half as two of their substitutes – Chirag Bhujel and Hawaibam Surdas Meitei, collectively struck thrice in the final 30 minutes to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat in this game.
At the end of a hotly contested first-half, East Bengal’s towering forward Himanshu Jangra netted in the 45th minute to ensure that his team steered into the halftime break with their heads held high. RFYC rung in multiple substitutions and fortunately for them, all of their moves pulled off with Bhujel equalising in the 61st minute.
The Red and Gold Brigade, however, pulled back the game in their favour with midfielder Aman CK netting four minutes later to get the scoreline to 2-1.
However, that momentum didn’t last long with Hawaibam putting the ball past East Bengal’s goalkeeper Aditya Patra in the 67th minute. RFYC didn’t let their guards down and kept pushing for the winner. Their intent finally bore fruit with Bhujel getting his second goal and the third in the game for RFYC to finally settle the game for once and for all in his team’s favour. RFYC entered into the national qualifiers by winning all 10 of their regional qualifiers games and that spirit and form was in tremendous display in their emphatic victory on Monday.
Brief Scores
Mumbai City FC 5 (Mustafa Shaikh 39′ 55′, Ayush Chikkhara 61′ 68′, Harsh Patil 87′) – 3 (Meuton Fernandes 13′ 50′ 60′) Velsao SCC
RF Young Champs 3 (Chirag Bhujel 61′ 73′, Hawaibam Surdas Meitei 67′) – 2 (Himanshu Jangra 45′, Aman CK 65′) East Bengal FC
2nd May, Tuesday – Schedule
Bengaluru
Bengaluru FC vs Sreenidi Deccan – 7 am, Bengaluru Football Stadium
LIFFA Trivandrum vs FC Goa – 9 am, Bengaluru Football Stadium
Delhi
Garhwal FC vs Muthoot FA – 1 pm, Civil Lines
Chanmari FC vs Chawnpui FC – 4 pm, Civil Lines
