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Gameweek 3 brought into focus the title favorites and their challengers as Diablos swept aside Brunton’s challenge to go on top while Al-Fateh annihilated Joras to jump to second place. FC Bengal edged FC Sparta to maintain their winning run and Athlos got back into form with a victory over a struggling Lawless side. Grasshoppers got back to winning ways too with a facile win over Netbusters as Titans were brought back down to earth with a defeat at the hands of a resolute FC Kudlu side.
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FC Bengal 1 - 0 FC Sparta Bengaluru
In the first game of the day, FC Bengal continued their dream start to the season with a narrow victory over FC Sparta Bengaluru. This was always going to be a tight game and Bengal were the team that held their nerves to come out of this unscathed.
The man who cannot stop scoring at the moment, Saheed Adeoye, scored the solitary goal of the game in the 3rd minute to secure all three points for his side. For Sparta though, this was a demoralizing defeat after their stellar performance last week and they could not find the composure in the final third to get anything out of this game.
Scorers:
Saheed Adeoye 3' (FC Bengal)
FC Lawless 1 - 2 Athlos United FC
Athlos United finally put in a performance they can be proud of for the first time this season, which could re-ignite their title hopes. Their opponents FC Lawless are increasingly looking like the punching bags of this division and need to get their act together quickly if they are to turn things around.
They started the game well when Zubair Ahmed opened the scoring within 2 minutes of the first whistle, but Athlos were in no mood for another slip-up and they took control of the game thereafter regaining the lead before a quarter of the game had passed. FC Lawless will hope to make best use of the upcoming break and re-organise themselves in search of their first win.
Scorers:
Zubair Ahmed 2' (FC Lawless)
Imdad KP 7', Samson Francis 11' (Athlos United FC)
FC Kudlu 1 - 0 Titans FC
The last game before lunch turned out to be an upset of sorts as Titans had their wings clipped by a determined Kudlu outfit which picked up it’s first win of the season. Titans just could not get their attacking gears clicking and they looked laborious at best. A shake-up in the Kudlu backline may have had to play a part in that too as they looked more stable in defence.
Akin Jarule, though, proved to be the difference again with the forward scoring the winner. He has been in stellar form and has scored in every single game for his team and currently leads the goal scoring charts. For Titans, though, this loss will be a rude shock as they drop down to third after starting the week at the peak.
Scorers:
Akinwumi Jarule 24' (FC Kudlu)
Al-Fateh 7 - 0 Joras
Al-Fateh crushed Joras in the first game after lunch to climb up to second in the standings. They are the only other team apart from FC Bengal to have a perfect record so far and if this is a sign of things to come, we are in a for a relentless march to the title. Captain Zaib starred for his side with four goals, and defences will now be wary of him after this performance.
Last season’s top scorer Tariq made a debut for his new side with a goal while Syed Sharoo and Nihal also grabbed a goal apiece. Things have really gone awry for Joras after the first game and they will look for a change of fortunes when the league resumes after a small break.
Scorers:
Zaib Sherief 3', 20', 24', 59’;Tariq Sheriff 30'; Syed Sharoo 43'; Nihal Colaco 54' (Al-Fateh)
Netbusters FC 1 - 2 Grasshoppers FC
Netbusters continued their woeful start to the season with yet another defeat, this time at the hands of Grasshoppers FC, who rebounded well from last week’s loss to Al-Fateh. Ganesh Narayan opened the scoring for his side in the 12th minute but were almost instantly pegged back when Ebuka scored in the 16th minute for Netbusters.
But there was no comeback for Netbusters in this one after they conceded a penalty late in the first half, which debutant Clement Marechal duly converted. Grasshoppers then held on stoutly to register their second win of the season. Netbusters find themselves in a dismal 11th place, quite a change in fortunes for a side that won the emerging team award last season.
Scorers:
Ebuka Amaefula 16' (Netbusters FC)
Ganesh Narayan 12', Clement Marechal 27'[P] (Grasshoppers FC)
Diablos FC 4 - 1 FC Brunton
The final game of the day featured Diablos FC and FC Brunton, which is turning out be an up and coming rivalry. Diablos were out to prove a point against familiar foes who derailed their title charge last season and that was evident in how the game panned out. Brunton were on the backfoot for most of the game, part of which can be attributed to some tactical errors in their starting lineup.
By the time they could correct their error, Diablos had already put the game beyond them. Newbie Raghav Khurana had a great game and opened the scoring for his team, setting the tone for the rest of the game. After this loss, Brunton drop down to 9th position while Diablos go into the break as table toppers.
Scorers:
Raghav Khurana 17', Tarun Ashish 20', Tony Lobo 32', Raihaan Ponnappa 40' (Diablos FC)
Ronak Chawla 26' (FC Brunton)
Standings (After Gameweek 3)
| Pos. | Name | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Diablos FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 7 |
| 2 | Al-Fateh | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 6 |
| 3 | Titans FC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4 | FC Bengal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 |
| 5 | Grasshoppers FC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 6 |
| 6 | Athlos United | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 4 |
| 7 | FCB Sparta | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 8 | FC Kudlu | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | -1 | 3 |
| 9 | FC Brunton | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | -2 | 3 |
| 10 | Joras | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 3 |
| 11 | Netbusters FC | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 0 |
| 12 | FC Lawless | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 9 | -7 | 0 |
