Chennaiyin beat Delhi to enter Stafford Final

pic: KSFA Media 

The first semi-final of Stafford Challenge Cup witnessed some exciting moments before Chennaiyin FC got the better of Delhi FC in tie-breaker at the Bangalore Football Stadium today. The reserve team of Chennaiyin was quick enough to take a lead in 18th minute from Givson Singh. Talented Sajal Bag made it 2-0 from a beautiful long ranger in the added time. 

After changing ends, Delhi showed urgency to come back to the game, however, didn’t have enough sharpness in their attack to score, though they did reduce the score in the half-way via penalty, and finally equalled few minutes before the regulation time. 

The game went straight to penalty shoot-out. Though Chennaiyin missed the first shot while Delhi successfully converted the same. Delhi wasted 3rd and 4th shot while Chennai scored the rest of the shots thus moving to the final of Stafford Challenge Cup.

Stafford Cup: Keen semi-final clashes in the offing

KSFA Media 

The revived Stafford Challenge Cup enters its business end with the semi-finals billed for March 3 and 4 and the final on March 6, 2023. With Karnataka reaching the final of the Santosh Trophy after 47 years, all eyes will be on Karnataka as it strives to regain past glory in organisational ability and on-field performances as well.

The first semi-final on Friday will be an all-outstation affair between Chennaiyin FC and Delhi FC set for kickoff at 3.30 p.m. at the KSFA Stadium while the second semi-final on Saturday will be an all-Bengaluru clash as FC Bengaluru United take on the ASC Centre at the same time and venue. 

Delhi FC topped Group C with an all-win record with nine points having beaten Kenkre FC 1-0, prevailing over Bengaluru FC 2-1 and then getting the better of Sreenidhi Deccan FC 3-2. They needed only a draw in their final match but managed to bag all three points. They have a balanced team which has scored six goals and let in three. The defence looks far more solid with the goal also well taken care of. In midfield, Vanlal and Lalrinzuala have worked hard to keep the attack going. Though the attack isn’t as sharp and thrustful as expected, it can take advantage of mistakes by the opponents and punish them.

Delhi would do well to resist questioning every decision. The Coach and the Manager have been booked for dissent and could well be in for more trouble if they don’t eschew their tendency to question every call made by the officials. 

Chennaiyin FC topped group D on goal difference with seven points from two wins and a draw. Local side Kickstart FC too had a similar result sheet, but the Chennai team had a goal difference of plus 10 having scored 12 and conceded just two to Kickstarts' plus three. Chennaiyin defeated the Ahmedabad Racquet Academy FC 1-0 and trounced Kerala United FC 9-0 in their other outings. As such Chennaiyin FC advanced to the semi-finals. They have relied mainly on Senthamil to score and  on Solaimalai to do the spadework.  But they don’t appear to be as balanced as their rivals and might find Delhi FC tough nuts to crack. 

 

Kickstart rally from two goals down in thrilling 2-2 draw

KSFA Media  

Kickstart FC pulled off another miracle as they came back again from 0-2 down to hold Chennaiyin FC to a 2-2 draw and shoot to the top of group D on the Safford Challenge Cup football tournament at the KSFA Stadium here on Sunday morning. Earlier, Sreenidhi Deccan FC defeated Kenkre FC 2-0 in group C.

In the later part of the day, Delhi FC came back from a goal down to register 2-1 win over Bengaluru FC. With back-to-back win, they seem to be a solid contender for the semi-final spot from Group C. In the final game of the day, ARA FC bouncing back from a defeat in their previous game thrashed Kerala United 5-0. 

A very compact and solid Chennaiyin FC took control of the match early on and even forged ahead in the very 16th  minute of the match.  After a one-two with Solaimalai, Givson Singh lobbed the ball into the box and skipper Senthamil dived forward to head it into the goal past goalkeeper Deepak. 

In trying to curb their attacking intent, Kickstart gave away a freekick to Chennaiyin just outside the box on the left flank. Givson Singh took the award and produced a low curling right footer which settled into the net beyond Deepak’s reach.

But Kickstart came back with some efforts of their own to no avail. In the second half, they changed their combinations and it paid rich dividends. Substitute Muzamiri was a thorn in the Chennai team’s defence and repeatedly broke through. He tacked goalkeeper Devansh Dabas once but failed to fill an untenanted net. However, he provided a fine through pass form Edwin Rosario to slot home a low left footer into the net. Once they had reduced the margin, it was Kickstart all over the opponent defence. In trying to check Muzamiri, stopper Buiswas Yumnan sent the ball rocketing into his own net for an own goal in the 82nd minute.

Both came close to snatching the winner but the defences held firm as they trooped out with a point each. Kickstart top the group with four points with a win and a draw.

Sreenidhi Deccan FC were the dominant lot all along and scored once in each half to emerge winners.

It was Mungong who scored the first goal in the 21st minute pushing home from close following a goalmouth melee. They played relaxed football and made it 2-0 in the 61st as Velmurugan took off on the right and slotted home past custodian Lovepreet Singh. Sreenidhi Deccan also topped group C with four points from one win and a draw while Kenkre have lost both games so far.

Kickstart rally back to win 3-2 against Kerala United in Stafford Challenge Cup

KSFA Media

Kickstart Football Club began their Stafford Challenge Cup campaign in group D with a stunning 3-2 come from behind victory over Kerala United FC here on Friday. In the last game of the day, from Group C, Delhi FC got the better of Kenkre FC 1-0.

Kickstart were down 0-2 in the first half. A lob from Velayudhan was palmed away by goalkeeper Deepak S. but right on to the head of his stopper Rahul who as retreating. The ball struck him on his head and landed inside the net in the 13th minute.

Kerala United made it 2-0 in the 42nd minute when Akmal Shan put away a cross from Muhammed Fasal from close range.

Kickstart came up for the second half full of energy and enthusiasm. They built up a series of attacks and threatened the opponent goal from both flanks. Edwin Rosario went clear of the defence off a through pass from Ryan Wilfred. But he only hit wide. But a goal was imminent, and it duly came in the 55th minute when Edwin Rosario made amends and this time placed home Ryan Wilfred’s lob into the net over the head of the onrushing goalkeeper Mohammed Sinan. But Ryan himself muffed an open chance hitting wide. But in the 61st minute, it was 2-2 when Satish Kumar went in and banged home his left footer.

Once they restored parity, it was 3-2 when Muzamiri Mtanga dashed in and banged home a measured pass from Edwin Rosario. Once they hit the front, Kickstart never looked back and kept their opponents at bay to win and take home three points.

Delhi FC managed to score once and hold on to the lead.  They dominated play but had to wait till the 55th minute for the goal. Khyriem pieced together a fine pass form Gaurav Rawat to bang home a curling left-footer. Earlier, Lalrunzuala muffed a sitter placing ide despite an empty net staring him in the face. Though they attacked often, Kenkre FC did not manage to find the net and the confident Delhi FC held firm to hang on and gain full points.

 

10 teams to participate in Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021 in Bengaluru

AIFF Media 

The Indian Football domestic season is all set to get underway with the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021, which is set to take place at the Bangalore Football Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka, from October, 2021.

A total of 10 teams will represent as many states in the Hero I-League Qualifiers 2021, from within a centrally organised Bio Bubble in Bengaluru.

This edition of the Hero I-League Qualifiers will also see as many as seven teams make their debut – Hyderya Sports FC (J&K), Corbett FC (Uttarakhand), Delhi FC (Delhi), Madan Maharaj FC (Madhya Pradesh), Rajasthan United FC (Rajasthan), Kerala United FC (Kerala), Ryntih SC (Meghalaya). Meanwhile, the likes of ARA FC (Gujarat), Kenkre FC (Maharashtra), and FC Bengaluru United (Karnataka), who have played in the competition before, complete the lineup.

The aforementioned clubs have all gone through the process of nomination by their respective state FAs, and have successfully submitted the required documents for the league and club licensing on time.

The 10 teams who will be playing in the Hero I-League qualifiers are as follows:

• Hyderya Sports FC (J&K)
• Corbett FC (Uttarakhand)
• Delhi FC (Delhi)
• Madan Maharaj FC (Madhya Pradesh)
• Rajasthan United FC (Rajasthan)
• ARA FC (Gujarat)
• Kenkre FC (Maharashtra)
• FC Bengaluru United (Karnataka)
• Kerala United FC (Kerala)
• Ryntih SC (Meghalaya)