Samba FC v Project 7
Score: Samba FC (2) – (0) Project 7
Scorers - Samba FC ( Soumyak S 23’, Mohsin K 33’)
Samba FC got back to winning ways when they defeated Project 7 by a 2-0 scoreline in the opening game of the day. Project 7 were desperate for a win and were the better side in the opening minutes of the game but could not capitalise on their chances. As the first half wore on Samba got into the mix of things and when the opportunity presented itself they grabbed it with Soumyak S scoring the opening goal in the 23rd minute.
Project 7 have always been an attacking team and we expected them to come bursting through the floodgates in the second half but they were caught off guard when Mohsin broke out from the midfield to double the lead for Samba just three minutes after the restart to cushion their advantage.
Samba are very hard to break down when they get into their defensive groove and with a two goal lead they did exactly that. To make things worse, Rajath Gowda was sent off for adversely reacting against a player and Project 7 were down to ten men.
Samba now get back to mid table safety but need a win or two to completely guarantee safety from relegation. Project 7 have lots of work ahead of them and with the winter tranfer window still open we do expect them to inject some new blood into the squad and even they do have the attacking talent to score goals they still need to add a few players to their squad to give themselves a chance of survival.
Man of the Match: Mohsin K (Samba FC)
Yataghan Internazionale v Gremio FC
Score: Yataghan Internazionale (1) – (1) Gremio FC
Scorers : Yataghan Internazionale ( Mutsa Muswere 42’); Gremio FC (Naman G 35’)
Gremio have almost thrown away their chances at a top-three finish after they drew with Yataghan Internazionale in the second game of the day. The game started off very scrappily with both teams finding it hard to string together passes and when both teams were presented with opportunities they squandered them. Both teams went into halftime scoreless and this game seemed destined for a draw.
Both teams made important substitutions during halftime but Gremio looked the more dangerous side. They took the lead in the 35th minute when a defensive scramble saw Naman poke the ball into the net from close range.
However, Yataghan responded well and found the equaliser soon after when Mutsa Muswere scored in the 42nd minute to restore parity. Both teams went in search of the winner but were denied on both sides with special credit going out to the Gremio keeper Adithya Dida who made an outstanding save to keep his side in the game.
Yataghan would gladly take the point from this game as they look to move into mid-table safety while Gremio will treat the draw as two dropped points, although it must be said a draw was a fair result.
Yataghan definitely need to add personnel in the transfer window to bolster their thin squad. Gremio will hope to bounce back next week in their quest for a top three spot but they are coming up against Supernova, a game they will go into as underdogs.
Man of the Match: Adithya Dida (Gremio FC)
FC Kougen Kikou v Supernova FC
Score: FC Kougen Kikou (1) – (2) Supernova FC
Scorers: FC Kougen Kikou (Hiroki Akiyama 19’); Supernova FC (Zuvundru Victor 51’, James Hadeyemi 54’)
Kougen Kikou were extremely unlucky not to come away with any points in their loss to Supernova. FCKK got their tactics spot on against a tough opposition for the most of the game and just when it seemed they would pull off the improbable they conceded two goals in the final ten minutes of the game to lose the game. Supernova seemed lethargic throughout the first half, something that has been plaguing them over the past few games.
Earlier, Hiroki Akiyama gave FCKK the lead in the 19th minute when the midfielder darted into the box to slot home the opener. After the goal FCKK reverted back into a defensive shell only hitting Supernova on the counter attack and their strategy paid off as they took their lead into halftime.
The second half began in the same way with Supernova unable to break the FCKK defensive stronghold. Akiyama put in a man of the match performance in midfield and seemingly was everywhere on the pitch.
With 50 minutes gone in the game, FCKK seemed sure of holding on to their slender lead but a defensive lapse saw the goalkeeper fumble the ball in a dangerous area and Zuvundru Victor made no mistake in grabbing the equaliser.
The division’s top goal scorers James Hadeyemi has been in the thick of action for Supernova and once again played the role of rescuer when he scored the winner 3 minutes later to break the Japanese hearts. FCKK looked completely in disbelief and never really threatened to pull a goal back after that.
Man of the Match: Hiroki Akiyama (FC Kougen Kikou)
FC Bengal v Rare Dare FC
Score: FC Bengal (2) – (1) Rare Dare FC
Scorers: FC Bengal (Akshat B 5’, Adama B 50’); Rare Dare FC (Sridhar Siloh 6’)
A tense affair between RDFC and FC Bengal ended in the latter picking up three points and staying on track in the battle for a top three spot. RDFC are still winless and things look gloomy for a team that possesses some really good talent. Bengal have gotten a little lucky in some of the games but credit must be given where it is due and they have held on when things haven’t been going too well in games to still pick up wins.
The game got off to a quick start with both teams looking to attack. Bengal opened the scoring in the 5th minute before RDFC struck right back a minute later through Sridhar Siloh. As both teams settled into their rhythm they started taking more time to create plays in an attempt to break each other down but both teams defences held firm.
RDFC goalkeeper Anoos was in fine form and made some brilliant saves in the first half to keep his side in the game. Anto Rushith had a good game and was a constant threat while going up the pitch.
The second half saw Chintu of RDFC receive his marching orders and his team were put on the back foot just when they were going in search of the winning goal. Bengal took full advantage of being a man up and secured the winner in the 50th minute when Adama B ran through the RDFC defence to slot home the goal.
RDFC didn’t give up until the end and had a few chances on goal but couldn’t convert them largely thanks to Raymond and Prithu who shored up the defence well.
Man of the Match: Anoos Paryangat (Rare Dare FC)
Horizons FC v Parikrma FC
Score: Horizons FC (3) – (0) Parikrma FC
Scorers: Horizons FC (Philip Babalola 9’, Chelston Pinto 38’, Karthigeyan Janardhan 48’)
Horizons put on a commanding performance against title rivals Parikrma defeating them 3-0 and taking a three-point lead at the top of the table. Philip Babalola opened the scoring in the 9th minute and Horizons had the all-important early lead in the game.
Parikrma had a few chances after that but back four of Horizons (Barry, Rohan, Raghu and AD Kumar) held firm and thwarted away the initial attacks. Parikrma seemed nervous on a day when they should have been stamping their title credentials all over this game.
The second half opened with Parikrma coming out on the front foot and just when it looked they would find the equaliser a defensive scramble in their own half saw Chelston Pinto poke home a goal form close range. Horizons now had a two-goal cushion and settled into a defensive stronghold.
Navneet Gowda did an excellent job in goal and was excellent in communicating to his defenders about where they had to be. The lead was extended when Karthigeyan Janardhan scored a beauty from almost the half way line to all but seal the win.
The usually effective Parikrma midfield could not find the precision that they are accustomed to playing with and the wingers failed to make direct runs with ball but credit must be given to the Horizons defenders who knew exactly what they were doing.
Horizons have now picked up an important win in a six-pointer against their closest title rivals and look odds on to go on and win the league but with 6 games still remaining the plot could thicken with tough games against Bengal and Gremio yet to come.
Man of the Match: Chelston Pinto (Horizons FC)
Flipkart FC v Mavericks FC
Score: Flipkart FC (2) – (0) Mavericks FC
Scorers: Flipkart FC (Pavan Powar 50’, 52’)
The final game of the day saw Flipkart defeat Mavericks to pick up back-to-back wins and move into temporary safety. Mavericks went in with a defensive strategy from the start and it worked as they cut off the supply lines to Pavan Powar who was left isolated up front. The Mavericks defence was extremely well organised and their keeper was excellent to take the game into halftime goalless.
The second half was much of the same with Flipkart unable to break down the Mavericks defence, this was even after Kartik Sah and Paarth Dhar had made inroads into the opposition defence but could not find the final pass or touch to make anything happen.
Just when we thought the game was going to head to the final whistle as a draw Pavan Powar found himself free inside the box to score the opener in the 50th minute. The game turned on its head after that with Pavan doubling Flipkart’s lead two minutes later to all but assure Flipkart the three points.
Mavericks looked completely frazzled after that and what little life they had in them was sapped. Flipkart pick up an important three points to move away from the red zone while Mavericks find themselves rock bottom. There are still 6 games to go which means both teams can turn things around; Flipkart in their fight for a top three finish and Mavericks in their bid for safety from relegation.
Man of the Match: Pavan Powar (Flipkart FC)
