Storm FC v Storm Youth
Score: Storm FC 1–1 Storm Youth
Scorers
Storm FC (G King 24’)
Storm Youth (Rishi Pujari 20’)
Two evenly matched teams played against each other in the first game of TAL week 7. It was a battle within the Brotherhood as Storm Youth FC took on their seniors, Storm FC in a rather thrilling battle of the ball.
As the game kicked off, Storm FC had an early break and made some promising off target shots on goal. It wasn’t long before Storm Youth FC responded with equally promising shots on goal. The youth team were struggling as Storm FC’s strikers pressed hard to score, however, in a surprising turnaround saw Storm Youth FC’s midfielder, Rishi Pujari break the deadlock and fire a goal home which was beautifully assisted by Aditya Chopra.
The celebration wasn’t long lived as the seniors responded with an amazing counter attack from the right, and a brilliant cross, which allowed striker G. King drive one into the net.
With the scores level at one each, both the teams fought till the end giving the viewers some beautiful tackles and shots on target that were stopped by some brilliant keeping. No matter how hard both the sides pushed they were unable to find the net again.
There were some great plays from Storm Youth FC’s midfielder, Aditya Chopra who held the game together, created chances and made the defence of Storm FC work hard for the ball. The young defenders were brave and denied them any chance of getting goals.
The seniors were equally lethal with the likes of Abhay Lamba and striker G. King giving the young defenders a hard time and stay on their feet. No matter how skillfully they attached the defence were able to technically fend them off.
The game was held to a draw but both the teams can walk away knowing they fought till the end. The Man of the Match was awarded to Aditya Chopra for his fine performance.
Man of the Match: Aditya Chopra (Storm Youth)
Q Squad v Sen Q
Score: Q Squad 1–2 Sen Q
Scorers
Q Squad (Ritwick Varghese 60+2’)
Sen Q (Karan Bawa 27’; Rahul Gulia 29’)
The game between Sen Q and Q Squad was an absolute beauty that surprisingly saw Sen Q emerge winners. Sen Q were pressed early on in the game by Q Squad strikers which saw a good battle in front of the goal as Q Squad fire shots on target which was saved by Nikhil Bhushan.
It didn’t take long before Sen Q pressed their attack with the likes of Rahul Gulia dancing around the young defenders and sending a cross over which was expertly converted by Karan Bawa, giving them the lead.
Only minutes later Sen Q were rewarded a free kick from about 25 yards. Rahul Gulia stepped up to take the shot and sent a screamer into the net doubling their lead.
Q Squad however never gave up as their midfielder Sreejith made some skilful runs around the defence and set up Varghese to tap home an incredible cross ball from the right at extra time.
The young players although having lost to their seniors put up some incredible display of football and made sure Sen Q defence had to work hard to maintain the lead with the likes of N. Negi in the team, who was very influential in the defence line to get all the three points home for Sen Q.
Rahul Gulia was awarded the Man of the Match for his performance. With this loss, Q Squad lose their position at the top while Sen Q still have an outside shot at finishing in the top three.
Man of the Match: Rahul Gulia (Sen Q)
FC Kickers v Phoenix FC
Score: FC Kickers 2–0 Phoenix FC
Scorers
FC Kickers (Cologne K 29’, 60’)
It was a nail-biting, head turning and teeth clenching game between the all-Japanese team, FC Kickers and Phoenix FC. FC Kickers made early attempts on goal and pressed the back four of Phoenix really hard. The likes of Ohara and Shotaro, playing some beautiful crosses into the box made the attempts even stronger.
Phoenix FC strikers gave FC Kickers defence a hard time as well with some good shots on target and few overhead balls. Both the teams were rather physical throughout the game with fouls being committed by both sides.
With all the back and forth runs to the goals, FC Kickers got the first breakthrough as striker Cologne with a few tricks in the box fired one home into the net giving his team the lead.
The second half was intensified with some clashes between the players. Phoenix made some brilliant players trying to outsmart the defence but FC Kickers never gave them an opportunity to break. Both the keepers, Masu of Kickers and Christopher Zion of phoenix FC made some good saves.
With the final minutes left on the board, FC Kickers made earnest attempts on goal which proved fruitless as Cologne was able to deliver again with a powerful shot into the net beating goalkeeper to deal the game and earning him the man of the match as well.
The clean sheet to FC Kickers meant the defence had kept the attack of Fulgence at bay and the credit must go to all four in the defence led by Yasu who was also the captain of the team.
Man of the Match: Cologne K (FC Kickers)
FC Dwarka v Delhi Student FC
Score: FC Dwarka 3–0 Delhi Student FC
Scorers
FC Dwarka (Aditya Caroli 7’; Ajay Rawat 15’, 22’)
It isn’t often that a game plan goes according to plan, however, for Dwarka FC, everything worked well. They made an early break with a goal by Aditya Caroli in the 7th minute and from then on they were rampant on the field.
It wasn’t long before Ajay Rawat made a beautiful run into the box and places a neat goal into the net while Delhi Student FC defence could only stand and watch.
The Delhi Student FC were threatened most by the outstanding combination between the brothers Ajay and Sanjay Rawat. The duo feeding off of each other would go on to score the third goal with a brilliant cross over from the flank by Sanjay Rawat that was skillfully netted home by Ajay Rawat.
The game produced some beautiful moments with a couple of nutmegs by Kunal Sachdeva and Bhavook Bharadwaj; saves by the goalkeepers to deny the teams any chance of catching up or extending their lead.
All in all, Dwarka FC dominated Delhi Student FC to seal the game with outstanding piece of football.
Ajay Rawat was awarded the Man of the Match for his overall performance inside and outside the box.
Man of the Match: Ajay Rawat (FC Dwarka)
Highflyers FC v Panthers FC
Score: Highflyers FC 1–6 Panthers FC
Scorers
Highflyers FC (Devansh Thakkar 44’)Panthers FC (Aman Emmanuel 14’; Saurabh Chaudhary 24’; Ankit Kumar 29’, 39’, 60+4’; Harsh Punj 57’)
High intensity, lots of drama and heated arguments with some brilliant goals was how the game between Panthers FC and Highflyers FC can be described.
The game started with some good run by both teams as they tested their opponents while they settled down to the tempo of the game.
A beautiful run made by Highflyers FC had everyone on the edge as the player beat Panthers’ goalie in a one on one duel but was denied a goal by an outstanding, last minute clearance on the line by a Panthers defender.
Panthers retaliated with a goal by their striker Aman Emmanuel who made sure Highflyers had to keep up to defend him. The midfielder, Ankit Kumar, striker Saurav Choudhary and Aman Emmanuel gave a tough time for the defenders of Highflyers with outrageous pace, footwork and shots on target.
Ankit Kumar sealed the only hat trick in game week 7 with a sublime performance. There were some beautiful footwork by Vidit Sharma to break Highflyers and made some crucial steals.
Highflyers didn’t make it easy for Panthers either as Devansh Thakkar came away with a goal but was sent off in the second half. Shrey Yadav and Tejan Paliwal had a great game holding the midfield and breaking Panthers’ defence a couple of times. Varun Joneja was crucial in supplying some dangerous through balls between the defenders and creating a couple of chances.
The game had some unruly moments with Highflyers disagreeing with the referee’s decision.
Man of the Match: Ankit Kumar (Panthers FC)
Ultimate FC v Wishwakings
Score: Ultimate FC 2–4 Wishwakings
Scorers
Ultimate FC (Shravan Chaudhary 11’, Shashank 40’)
Wishwakings (Ashish Tehlan 2’, 7’; Rajat Vaish 15’; Karan Dewan 22’)
The final game of week 7 between Wishwakings FC and Ultimate FC was a thriller. A goal by Ashish Tehlan of Wishwakings Fc in the 2nd minute raised the tempo of the game. Wishwakings were able to break the defenders down, giving winger Ashish Tehlan his second goal. Holding midfielder Karan Dewan was lethal with his supplies and runs into the box. He was able to convert a goal from inside the box as well.
Ultimate FC were struggling at the start to keep up with Wishwakings’ pace but saw a breakthrough when right out Shravan Choudhary nails one home with a brilliant run from the flank. Winger Shashank and midfielder Aryan Sumbli were able to get around Wishwakings Defenders, at times, almost sending some nail biting shots on target.
Two talented sides made sure that the opponent had to work real hard, change tactics if they were to make any attempts on goal. With all the intensity, near misses and outstanding football, Wishwakings FC outwitted Ultimate FC to drive home four goals and walk away with a win.
Man of the Match: Karan Dewan (Wishwakings)
