NEW DELHI: AIFF U-18 Academy moved a step closer to book a semifinal slot of the IFA Shield when then routed Mohun Bagan U-19 4-0 in a Group B match at the Barasat Stadium on Monday (February 22). This was the second win for the Academy boys and they next face a strong Frenz United, Malaysia in their next match on February 24 (Wednesday).
The Academy boys, wearing blue scored two in each half to emerge winners in what was an one-sided match. Goals from Amal Das and Edmund Lalrindika in the first half and from Prosenjit Chakraborty and Jerry Lalrinzuala in the second half settled the issue for the U-18 I-League Champions.
It was all AIFF in the first half. They attacked with authority right from the start and it earned dividends soon. The multi faceted Prosenjit Chakraborty who made merry all throughout, initiated one in the 11th minute which paved the way for the corner from which the colts surged into the lead.
Off the corner, Anirudh Thapa swung in a delightful ball from the left hand side which fell invitingly for Central Defender Amal Das who made no mistake in driving it in from close range.
Despite scoring an early goal AIFF looked hungry for more and they bossed the midfield -- Thapa and Abhishek Haldar reluctant to let the reins go off their hands.
The second goal followed soon. Baoringdao Bodo played a wonderful through pass to Abhishek Haldar who was brought down in the box. With the Referee pointing to the spot, Edmund Lalrindika thumped it in from the spot.
Changing over, the colts earned a corner almost immediately which almost led to the third goal but rival Goalkepeer Debnath
Mondal came up with a splendid save.
Debnath also stayed in the thick of things ten minutes later when he denied Edmund Lalrindika after the latter had split open the defence with a solo run.
The third goal which looked only a matter of time eventually came in the 59th minute. Jerry played to Prosenjit who finished it off with his left foot from inside the boy –diagonally blasting it into the top corner.
Seven minutes later AIFF made it embarrassing for the Green and Maroons as Jerry Lalrinzuala capped off a dream move with a picturesque finish. Edmund started off the move with a pass towards Bodo whose dummy foxed two Bagan defenders allowing Jerry to slot it home.
Head Coach Floyd Pinto looked a happy man after the final whistle. "I am happy with the victory. It was a fantastic overall performance."
He picked out his back four for special praise. "I am delighted with the clean sheet. We conceded a couple of soft goals in the last game but this match the defence was water tight,” he added.
Surya Tirkey, the Academy right back, was adjudged Man of the Match.
