NEW DELHI: All India Football Federation’s U-18 Academy booked a berth in the semifinal of the IFA Shield when they routed Frenz United, Malaysia 4-2 at the Barasat Stadium on Wednesday (February 24).
This was the third consecutive victory for the AIFF Academy boys in as many matches. They lead 1-0 at the interval and now play Md. Sporting in their last Group League match on Saturday (February 28).
The clash prior to the kick-off was dubbed the ‘most exciting’ one in Group B; the pole position was at stake after all. On the field, however, the U-18 Academy boys putting up a splendid performance made it look easier than what it was.
A brace from Baoringdao Bodo and one each from Prosenjit Chakraborty and Bedashwor Singh helped the Academy boys register a convincing 4-2 victory.
It was a total Team effort which made the score line possible. The Team spirit could be gauged by Man of the Match Bodo’s confession post match. “The Award should be given to the entire Team. (Prabsukhan) Gill and (Anirudh) Thapa deserve it as much as I do.”
Coach Floyd Pinto made two changes to the starting line up from the previous match as Bedashwor Singh and Namgyal Bhutia lined up in place of Nijwm Muchahary and Abhishek Haldar respectively.
The Malaysian unit began aggressively as they won the first of a staggering six corners in the first half. AIFF custodian Gill was kept busy with the floaters and with dependable Central Defender Amit Tudu limping out, AIFF Academy seemed in a spot of bother.
But with substitute Lalengzama partner skipper Thapa in the middle of the park, the gameplan paid rich dividends. The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute what can best be described as a ‘delightful move.’
Edmund Lalrindika collected the ball at the edge of the area and played it forward to Bodo. The latter, by that time had spotted Prosenjit’s run down the left and dinked it beyond the defence for Prosenjit to toe poke it home and score his third goal in the Tournament.
Changing over, the Academy boys came out all guns blazing as they tripled the advantage within two minutes of the lemon break.
Even before Frenz United had settled down, Anirudh Thapa picked out Bodo with a fantastic long ball. Spotting the onrushing rival Goalkeeper, Bodo slotted it past him. The goal came barely 25 seconds into the half.
The goal had hardly sunk in when the Federation boys made it 3-0. This time Prosenjit advanced down the right and swung it in. But even as Bodo missed it, Bedashwor Singh who was following it, blasted it home.
Two goals in two minutes made the Academy boys more confident and even if the Malaysian Team managed to pull one back in the 58th minute, the Colts in Blue came up with their fourth, an amazing strike.
Edmund did find Baoringdao Bodo just outside the box but the latter wasn’t in the clear when he collected it. But with a deft turn, he made space and let fly a shot which had the Goalkeeper watching the ball sail into the top corner. A perfect moment for shutterbugs!
More was in store. Frenz went all out and a deflection guided Dody Alfayed’s shot into the goal to make it 4-2 with 20 minutes left. Frenz were even paid for their intensity in injury time when they were rewarded a penalty in the 91st minute but Gill stooped to keep it at bay.
Head Coach Floyd Pinto was understandably pleased with the performance. “We should play more teams such as this. This was a fantastic match but we are aware of the future challenges,” he said.
