FC Bengal sweep past Netbusters
The first game of the day was between FC Bengal and Netbusters FC which ended in a comfortable win for FC Bengal. Sunny Subba scored a brace 10 minutes either side of half-time to assure Bengal of second place and in turn, promotion.
Arjun Sehgal was another player who made a telling contribution to the Bengal cause in this game. Perhaps the only disappointment for Bengal would have been the inability of striker Saheed to get onto the scoresheet, thereby conceding his place in the race for the top scorer. But that was offset after he was adjudged to be the MVP of the season in Division 2.
Netbusters could not mount a stiff challenge which was typical of the season they have had so far. They will need to revamp the squad and bring in some good players across the board to do well in Season 4 of TAL. Bengal on the other hand, are heading to Division 1 where they will face a true test of their credentials.
Score: FC Bengal (2) – (0) Netbusters FC
Parikrma rise above Horizons
The only Division 1 game of the day between champions Parikrma and runners up Horizons FC was the most engaging game of the day as it turned to be a battle of tactics and guile more than anything. With nothing much at stake apart from pride, both teams cancelled each other out in the first half, unwilling to concede any ground to their direct rivals this season.
But immediately after the restart though, Saarang Ganapathy put Horizons in front after a mix-up in the Parikrma back line. Parikrma though responded almost instantly through top scorer Chiranjeevi Murugan in the 36th minute. But there was more drama left in the game as Chiranjeevi gave Parikrma a 10th win in 11 games with a goal in the 57th minute, leaving almost no time for Horizons to stage a revival.
The game ended 2-1 in Parikrma’s favour, which was a fair result, given that Parikrma have been the team to beat throughout the season and it served as a fitting end to a record-breaking campaign for them. Horizons meanwhile, were left to ponder their shortcomings this season and how to address them as they prepare for Season 4.
Score: Parikrma (2) – (1) Horizons FC
Al-Fateh decimate Athlos and their promotion hopes
The final game of Season 3 took place under the watchful eyes of Mr. Carlton Chapman, former captain of the Indian Senior National team and East Bengal legend. Al-Fateh played Athlos United in what was a must-win game for the boys in Royal Velvet in order to have a shot at promotion by securing third place. But Al-Fateh were in no mood for any generosity as they strolled to a 2-0 win, dousing any hopes Athlos had of promotion.
Athlos were never really in the game actually, as they failed to construct meaningful attacks up front, whereas Al-Fateh were keeping the Athlos defence on their toes. Inevitably, Al-Fateh took the lead through none other than Nihal Colaco right on the stroke of half time before Chelston Pinto headed in 6 minutes after the restart to ensure a two-goal cushion which Al-Fateh took to the end of the game.
Al-Fateh will be gunning to have a go at the top dogs of Division 1 next season which will make for some exciting encounters is Season 4. Athlos though, miss out on promotion for the second season running and will need to move on from this, planning instead their approach to Season 4 of TAL.
Score: Al-Fateh (2) – (0) Athlos United
Division 1 Final Standings
Pos. | Name | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
1 | Parikrma | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 26 | 31 |
2 | Horizons FC | 11 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 7 | 11 | 24 |
3 | Supernova FC | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 22 | 11 | 11 | 23 |
4 | Rare Dare FC | 11 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 15 | 4 | 19 |
5 | Yataghan Internazionale | 11 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 18 |
6 | Project 7 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 20 | -3 | 17 |
7 | FC Kougen Kikou | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 18 | 3 | 16 |
8 | Flipkart FC | 11 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 11 | 3 | 16 |
9 | Gremio FC | 11 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 22 | -3 | 10 |
10 | Samba FC | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 13 | -10 | 9 |
11 | Mavericks FC | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 6 | 23 | -17 | 4 |
12 | Mercurial FC | 11 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 31 | -26 | 4 |
Division 2 Final Standings
Pos. | Name | GP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
1 | Al-Fateh | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 51 | 7 | 44 | 28 |
2 | FC Bengal | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 24 | 9 | 15 | 24 |
3 | Titans FC | 11 | 7 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 8 | 23 |
4 | Athlos United | 11 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 21 |
5 | Diablos FC | 11 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 23 | 13 | 10 | 20 |
6 | FCB Sparta | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 5 | 18 |
7 | Joras | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 22 | 28 | -6 | 14 |
8 | FC Brunton | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 12 | 24 | -12 | 14 |
9 | FC Kudlu | 11 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 24 | -13 | 8 |
10 | Grasshoppers FC | 11 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 24 | -16 | 7 |
11 | FC Lawless | 11 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 32 | -20 | 5 |
12 | Netbusters FC | 11 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 25 | -18 | 3 |
