Day two of the Premier Futsal League sees the two teams who didn't play on the opening night get their campaign going. Their opponents will be the two teams who got wins on Friday. The second match on Saturday sees Kolkata take on Bengaluru.
Kolkata looked a smooth functioning team under Hernan Crespo and Paul Scholes’ Bengaluru will have its task cut out. Scholes will be the man everyone will be looking at as the Manchester United legend will be his team's main man in the middle, with his passing and shooting something fans will hope to catch.
Livestream and kick-off time
In the second match of the night, Kolkata 5s will take on Bengaluru 5s in their Group B tie. The match will follow Mumbai's encounter against Kochi on July 16 and will kick-off at 8.10 PM. Watch live streaming of Kolkata 5s vs Bengaluru 5s on SonyLiv. Follow live scores and commentary of the Premier Futsal League on Sportskeeda. The match will be telecast live on Sony Six, Sony ESPN and Sony AATH. It will be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
Team News
Hernan Crespo’s Kolkata beat Ronaldinho’s Goa in the second match on Friday evening. The match ended 4-2 to the Kolkata side. Crespo assisted a goal and scored one himself. It was a nicely taken goal too. Pula was the man-of- the-match for Crespo’s team; the big man was full of tireless running and opponents found it difficult to shake him off the ball.
Kolkata scored two quick goals in the first quarter yesterday and once they got that lead, they gave the crowd an exhibition of possession futsal. Tiki-taka anyone? They were content to just hold the ball, but did respond once Goa got a goal back.
Kolkata also have the first Indian goalscorer at the Premier Futsal League. Mohammed Islam got that honour when he scored their second goal last evening. He looked bright throughout and it remains to be seen whether he can back it up with another good performance today.
Bengaluru have a very reclusive marquee player in Manchester United legend Paul Scholes. He’s been a very vocal pundit on television since retiring from football, but starting today, he will look to be doing the talking with the ball once again.
They also seem to possess a strong goalkeeper in Elias, who has been named the world's best goalkeeper in futsal twice. Neto is another powerful player in their ranks.
Prediction
Kolkata's early dominance yesterday helped them pull through the game. Today could be another tight game and we could see the first draw of the Premier Futsal League tonight.
Line-ups
Kolkata 5s Coach: Christian Roldan Marquee player: Hernan Crespo International futsallers: Cidao (GK), Pula, Gabriel, Vander Carioca, Majdoub Freestyler: Dida Indian futsallers: Mohammedohamm Islam, Amit Pal (GK), Subrata Dey, Pradeep Shaw, Akshay Nair, Mayur Shellar
Bengaluru 5s Coach: Juan Jose Bernal Cierre Marquee Player: Paul Scholes International futsallers: Elias (GK), Neto, Maxi, Nabil, Anatoliy Freestyler: Easy Man Indian futsallers: Zaib, Anto Rushith S, Jonathan, Abhishek R (GK), Sathya Kumar, Sai Nikhil
