The 1st edition of TAL cup took place over three Sundays starting September 4th and concluded this past Sunday with the eight group winners qualifying to the quarterfinals. With teams only playing 2 games each in the group stage it was always going to be close and all 8 groups qualification came down to the final round of games.
Athlos United qualified to the last 8 after they drew against Supernova in a goalless match and picked up the necessary point. The so-called ‘Group of Death’ went into the final day with any of three teams (Kudlu was the other team) up for qualification. Kudlu caused a big upset when they beat Supernova last week in a nine-goal thriller but Athlos first day’s victory over Kudlu ensured they only need a point to go through.
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Rare Dare FC scored late in the game against Samba FC in a local derby to pick up a 2-1 win and qualify for the quarterfinals. Both teams went into the game knowing a win would send them through but Samba’s resilience was short-lived; although their performance indicates much improvement from last season. RDFC now have a quarterfinal clash with Division 2 side Athlos United.
Horizons FC beat Titans FC by 2-0 scoreline and haven't conceded a goal in the group stage. Titans put in a spirited performance in both their games (they lost 1-0 to Project 7 on opening day) but they haven't’ been able to find the back of the net – an issue they need to address immediately. Project 7 had a slim chance at qualification because of the gap in goal difference but eventually it was the favourites Horizons who went marching on.
Parikrma FC beat FC Bengal in a close game and a solitary goal by Louis Nickson was enough to send them through to the quarters. Bengal came into the game knowing a draw would be enough to send them through since they had a superior goal difference.
Earlier they defeated Engineers United 4-1 while Parikrma managed to beat Engineers 2-0. Parikrma’s experience mattered in the end as their defence thwarted off Bengal’s attacking pressure to pick up all 3 points. Parikrma now have a clash in the quarters against title rivals Horizons FC.
Gremio FC survived a scare against Flipkart to maintain their perfect record – they won by 2-1- and secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Gremio had beaten Mavericks comfortably in the first game winning 6-0 while Flipkart made things interesting by also beating division rivals Mavericks, albeit in a close game where Kartik Sah of Flipkart FC scored the only goal of the game.
Once mighty kings, Gremio will look to get back to old days of glory, starting a run in the inaugural edition of the cup.
Emdee Al-Fateh beat rivals Diablos FC 1-0 to set up a quarterfinal clash with Gremio FC. Diablos came into the game only needing a draw to qualify but Al-Fateh broke up a resilient Diablos defence with a goal from Stalin Daniel.
Earlier in the cup, Mercurial FC put up a strong fight to both Division 2 title contenders but failed to get a goal in against either team. Al-Fateh now face Division 1 side Gremio FC who look to have found their mojo again.
Yataghan Internazionale just about made it to the quarterfinals when they drew with BFE United in a tight match. BFE United had taken the lead against Yataghan but the latter pulled one back late in the game to go into the quarters unbeaten.
Earlier in the cup, BFE United and Garden Boys drew while the second round saw Yataghan thrashing Garden Boys 3-0. BFE out in a courageous fight but in the end, the experience of the veteran squad saw them through.
FC Brunton put in a strong performance in the group stage to ensure their qualification to the last 8. Coming into the group stage they might have been the underdogs, but they proved their critics wrong.
Sparta had a chance go through, given the fact that Brunton were down by a goal to 10 men Kougen Kikou but the former made amends and found an equalizer. Brunton will now be looking to make a strong run into the cup but their first hurdle is Division 1 opposition Yataghan Internazionale.
Quarter-finals Fixtures
Date: September 25
1) 8:30 AM – FC Brunton v Yataghan Internazionale
2) 9:45 AM – Horizons FC v Parikrma FC
3) 10:15 AM – Gremio FC v Emdee Al-Fateh
4) 11:30 AM – Rare Dare FC v Athlos United
