Following a thumping victory over Ramthar Veng FC in their National Group Stage match in Mumbai on Wednesday, Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) have advanced to the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Developmental League (RF DL). The RF DL National Championships will feature four teams from the 20 that have advanced from the ongoing group stage matches. They are taking place in four different venues around the nation. ATK Mohun Bagan is the other team to have reached the final four. The race for the other two berths is still ongoing.
Ramthar Veng FC lost to RFYC points
The Ramthar Veng FC put up a good fight. But the RF Young Champs came out on top with three points. The squad got off to a good start. Taking the lead in the fourth minute on a penalty kick by midfielder Supratim Das.
Actually, the team’s intent was clear from the start. As they started with great momentum and earned a penalty just minutes after the kick-off.
They did not waste the chance, as they maintained the lead in the game for nearly an hour. However, a defensive lapse on their part resulted in Ramthar opening up a small window of opportunity. That they worked hard to capitalise on in the final quarter of the game.
The Young Champs were awarded a penalty in the 62nd minute, and PC Lalruatsanga calmly stepped up to convert his kick and level the scores at a crucial point in the game. The following 30-odd minutes were furiously fought, with each team seeking to secure the winner with equal zeal and determination.
They pushed each other to the limit and held off a lot of offensive pressure until Young Champs’ in-form striker and number seven Chirag Bhujel got the breakthrough into the back of the net in the 82nd minute!
The RFYC breezed through the regionals with an unblemished record of ten wins in ten games, and their performance in the nationals suggests that they are one of the most skilled teams to keep an eye on towards the end of this tournament.
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East Bengal defeated Mumbai in their home stadium
Later in the day, East Bengal suffered a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mumbai City FC at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP). The Islanders held off the Red and Gold Brigade for over an hour.
The first half ended goalless, but the visitors came back in the second half with increased vim and incisiveness in their forward excursions. Their towering striker Himanshru Jangra broke the deadlock in the 59th minute, and East Bengal made every attempt to maintain that advantage till the final whistle blew. So much so that they were booked three times in the last ten minutes. Aman CK, the midfielder, was in the focus of it all, receiving two yellow cards in the 85th and 93rd minutes before being sent out.
However, an unexpected goal by East Bengal substitute Rupam Roy in the 96th minute helped them seal the deal. And complete a fantastic victory over a very promising-looking Mumbai City FC team.
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