Dwarka FC v Phoenix FC
Score: Dwarka FC 2 – 1 Phoenix FC
Scorers
Dwarka FC (Ishwar Singh 3’, Abhishek Sehrawat 6’)
Phoenix FC (Fulgence Kouame 37’)
Dwarka FC picked up all three points against an in-form Phoenix FC to go top fo the table. Dwarka capitalised on the first 11 changes made by Phoenix FC, catching them off guard early in the game to score twice in the first six minutes.
Ishwar Singh opened the scoring in the 3rd minute before added Abhishek added a second a few minutes later. This early double blow was enough for Dwarka even when Phoenix got back into the game
Phoneix’ strategy of benching Senan and Naman, two of their best players backfired. The first half substitution to bring on Naman helped change the tide in Phoenix’s favour and they finally pulled a goal back when Fulgence Kouame scored in the 37th minute to make it an interesting game with 20 minutes left to play.
Although Phoenix would feel they deserved a point from this game, they have a lot of work ahead of them it they are to build on their GW 1 performance.
Dwarka now sit on the top of the table with two wins in as many games and will want to continue their streak. Kunal Sachdeva was key to Dwarka’s win and had a hand in both of Dwarka’s goals. Ishwar Singh looks like a legitimate forward and has scored in both of Dwarka’s games and looks to be the focal point of the attack.
Man of the Match: Kunal Sachdeva (Dwarka FC)
Q Squad v Storm FC
Score: Q Squad 3 – 1 Storm FC
Scorers
Q Squad (Ritwick Dutta 16’, 50’, Dickson Jr 46’)
Storm FC (G King 4’)
In the upset of the day, title favourites Storm FC succumbed to Q Squad to shake-up the top of the table. Q Squad had enough in them to not only come from behind to win but they did it in style. Manager Nikhil Bhushan was back on the sidelines and his influence was instrumental in the result turning out in favour of Q Squad.
Storm FC took the lead early in the game when G King scored in the 4th minute but Q Squad got it together very quickly after that. The partnership of Ritwick Dutta and Verghese's in midfield was excellent and they ensured Storm did not have control of the game. An excellent free kick in the 16th minute by Dutta saw Q Squad come back on level terms but more importantly the tide had turned in Q Squad’s favour.
Two second half goals by Q Squad in the final quarter of the game helped complete an unlikely come from behind win against Storm. Dickson scored in the 46th minute, followed by Dutta grabbing his second in a counter-attacking move in the 50th minute to give their team enough of a lead to see the game through.
Q Squad picked up their first win of the season and in style against the current TAL Cup champions to show the competition they are a force to be reckoned with. Storm need to put this game behind them and concentrate on getting back to winning ways.
Man of the Match: Ritwick Dutta (Q Squad)
Sen Q V Delhi Student FC
Score: Sen Q 2 - 1 Delhi Student FC
Scorers
Sen Q ( Shaurya Sharma 29’, Deb Roy 47’)
Delhi Student FC (Akhil Rawat 15’)
In another come from behind win, Sen Q caused an upset, defeating Delhi Student FC. DSFC came into this tournament with a reputation of being a strong young team but have so far failed to pick up a single point in their outings.
DSFC took the lead in the 15th minute thanks to Akhil Rawat scoring a stunner from 25 yards out but Sen Q got right back into the mix of things and equalised in the 29th minute via Shaurya Sharma to level the terms going into half-time.
Rahul Gulia of Sen Q was excellent in attack and posed quite a few problems to DSFC’s defence while Akhil Rawat and Utkarsh Tripathi were excellent on the flanks for DSFC. Both teams started the second half on the attack looking to grab the lead but it was only in the 47th minute when Sen Q completed the turnaround with Deb Roy scoring in the 47th minute. Deb converted a free-kick in style, to hand the veteran squad the lead and eventually the three points.
Rahul Gulia had a hand in both the goals and earned the man of the match plaudits for his efforts. DSFC have a lot of tinkering to do with their squad having lost both their games but given the talent they possess they are bound to bounce back. Sen Q have a great mixture of experience and youth in their squad and will use that combination to their fullest advantage as they look to cause some noise in the division.
Man of the Match: Rahul Gulia (Sen Q)
Highflyers FC v Wishwakings
Score: Highflyers FC 2 – 3 WIshwakings
Scorers
Highflyers FC (Varun Joneja 3’, 45’)
Wishwakings (Ashish Tehlan 33’, Suvraj Singh 48’, Rahul Paswan 56’)
A five-goal thriller between Highflyers and Wishwakings favour of the latter handing them their first win of the season. Highflyers started the game the better team and were duly rewarded when Varun Joneja managed to score in the 3rd minute. The combination of Tejan and Shrey for Highflyers worked wonders and they managed to keep the Wishwakings attack at bay, at least in the first half.
The second half was completely different with four goals being scored starting with Wishwakings equaliser via Ashish Tehlan in the 33rd minute. However, Highflyers managed to grab the lead once again in the 45th minute thanks to Joneja’s second goal for the game.
Wishwakings went on to make a crucial substitution bringing on Suvraj Singh, which turned the tide in their favour. Suvraj scored a screamer in the 48th minute to restore parity for his side.
Not only did they find the equaliser but they went on to find the winner and in the 56th minute, Rahul Paswan scored the winning goal to hand Wishwakings their first victory of the campaign.
The winning goal combined with a match winning defensive clearance from Rahul Paswan earned him the Man of the Match award. Highflyers lost their shape a bit in the second half and eventually ended up conceding three goals, a good number for a defensively good side, but they need to take the positives from this game as they look into GW 3.
Wishwakings must be credited for the spirited performance in the second half that saw the turn the game on its head and pick up the much needed three points to get their campaign going.
Man of the Match: Rahul Paswan (Wishwakings)
