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.

 

Kenkre FC stage comeback to win 2-1 against Kerala United FC

AIFF Media 

Kenkre FC put up an impressive display of grit and determination to win their opening Group B encounter against Kerala United FC (KUFC) at the Bangalore Football Stadium. After going 1-0 behind early in the second half with a goal from winger Bujair Valiyattu, Kenkre FC came from behind to register a 2-1 victory over KUFC, thanks to goals from substitute Lester Fernandez and striker Ranjeet Singh. The win sends Kenkre FC at the top of Group B, with the remaining matches in the group yet to kick-off.

The match began with both teams going through the motions to grow into the game in the first ten minutes, as KUFC implemented a rigorous high press to try and win the ball back high up the pitch. In the 7th minute, KUFC left back Munmum Lugun had the first sighting of goal as he took on a shot from distance that drew the first save of the game from Kenkre FC goalkeeper Tenzin Samdup.

Kenkre FC had their first crack at goal in the 12th minute, after winning a free-kick in a promising position 20 yards from goal. Aravind Rajan stepped up to take the set piece for Kenkre, but the KUFC wall combined to block the direct free-kick.

By the 15th minute into the game, KUFC midfielders Akhil P and Adersh Mattummal were dominating proceedings for the side from Kerala. In the heart of the KUFC defence, Gabriel Lima remained a towering presence as he continued to diffuse opposition attacks, and initiated passing moves from the back.

As both teams tried to play through the middle and keep the ball, both midfields were working hard to win the ball back for their respective teams time and time again. Overall, the first half remained a fairly scrappy affair, as both teams went back and forth at each other. Kiran Pandhare tried to get on the ball for Kenkre and dictate play for his team from the heart of midfield.

In the 29th minute, the play was called to a halt for one minute by the referee for a cooling break. This has been a new post-pandemic introduction into the domestic game, which teams often use to regroup after the first phase of the match. KUFC immediately upped the ante after the cooling break, restarting play with a renewed attacking vigour. In the 31st minute, KUFC winger Bujair Valiyattu fashioned an excellent opportunity for himself, as he received a pass from Adersh and came onto his favoured left foot to take a shot from just inside the box. After creating a shooting opportunity, Bujair placed his fierce low drive just towards the wrong side of the near post.

The match remained at a stalemate at the halfway point, as the first half drew to a close. The Kerala side had the slightly better chances in the first half, but Kenkre FC remained in the game throughout, even shading the possession stats in their advantage, with 57% of the ball possession in the first half.

Kerala United made the first breakthrough three minutes after half time, as they eventually added final product to their promising patterns of play. As Akhil P fed the ball out to the left flank, Salman K found himself in space to produce a good cross, which was flicked on at the near post by Nimshad Roshan. Bujair Valiyattu timed his run perfectly to come in at the far post and rifle the ball high into Tenzin’s goal to make it 1-0 for Kerala United.

As KUFC took charge in the game and looked likely to add to their advantage, Kenkre FC were helped by the introduction of substitute Lester Fernandez, who brought a measure of experience and composure to Kenkre’s play. Fernandez expertly slotted away a penalty for Kenkre FC in the 65th minute, after Gabriel Lima gave away a foul inside the box with a mistimed lunging tackle.

After coming back on level terms, Kenkre FC made it a double whammy seven minutes later in the 72nd minute to turn the game around after going behind. Aravind Rajan sent in a peach of a low cross from the right flank after a fast flowing move, which Ranjeet Singh finished from close range to give Kenkre FC a 2-1 lead to hold onto for the remainder of the game.

Kenkre FC proved to be a resolute defensive unit for the final 15 minutes of the game, as they held on to the slender one goal lead in the face of continuous pressure from the KUFC ranks towards the end of the game. As KUFC dominated the ball and continued to try and force the issue, they were largely confined to chances from set-plays and attempts from range, as the Kerala side struggled to break down the Kenkre FC defence.

That match finished with a 2-1 win for the side from Maharashtra, leaving it all to do for KUFC for the rest of the group stage matches. Kenkre FC will now look forward to their next encounter against ARA FC on October 9, 2021.

 

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)

 

Ratanbala brace helps KRYPHSA reach Hero IWL final

AIFF Media

Manipur-based Kangchup Road Young Physical and Sports Association (KRYPHSA) FC reached their maiden Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) final after a 3-1 win over Mumbai’s Kenkre FC in the first semi-final at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday (February 10, 2020). 

Ratanbala Devi scored a brace to fire KRYPHSA into a 2-0 lead before Jyoti pulled one back in stunning fashion for Kenkre. Roja Devi added Kryphsa’s third in the second half, which served as an insurance goal to see them through. 

Ratanbala Devi was adjudged to be the Hero of the Match for her match-winning brace.

Kenkre enter Hero IWL semifinal with win over BUFC, Sandhiya's four-goal haul takes Sethu too to semis

AIFF Media

Kenkre FC booked their place in the semi-finals of the 4th Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) after registering a 2-1 win over local outfit BUFC in their final Group B fixture at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Thursday (February 06, 2020).

Kenkre’s Asha Kumari opened the scoring before Techi Akung doubled their advantage. Amulya Kamal pulled one back for Bangalore, but that served as nothing more than a consolation. 

Earlier today, defending champions Sethu FC too confirmed their place in the semifinals in style after registering a dominant 6-0 victory over Baroda Football Academy.

Sethu’s Sandhiya had a clinical afternoon in front of goal, bagging four, with Amsavalli and Karthika adding the remaining two.

Kolhapur defeat Baroda to register first win, Kenkre ride on Soumya's brace to overcome Sreebhumi

AIFF Media 

FC Kolhapur City registered their first Hero Indian Women’s League (IWL) victory of the season after overcoming Baroda Football Academy by a 2-0 score line at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Monday (February 3, 2020).

Lhingneilam Kipgen opened Kolhapur’s account on the 24th minute before Subhadra Sahu put them in cruise control on the 70th-minute mark. 

Kenkre FC moved a step closer towards rubberstamping their place in the semi-finals by registering a 3-1 victory over Bengal’s Sreebhumi FC.

Skipper Soumya Guguloth scored a brace before Aarti pulled one back for Sreebhumi to make it anyone’s game. Asha Kumari added a third early in the second half for Kenkre and allowed them to sail on the two-goal cushion towards three points.

KRYPHSA outplay Baroda to reclaim pole position, Kenkre bounce back with win over Bidesh XI

AIFF Media

Kryphsa reclaimed pole position in group A of the Hero Indian Women's League 2019-20 with a scintillating 4-0 victory over Baroda Football Acadamy at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Friday (January 31, 2020). 

After the first half ended goalless despite Kryphsa dominating proceedings, Roja Devi (57') opened the scoreline before Anju Tamang (76') capitalised on an error from rival custodian Afshan Ashiq to double the lead. Three minutes later, Ratanbala Devi (79') slotted a spot-kick calmly to tighten their grip on the match before Ranjana Chanu (90'+2') headed home the final goal. 

In the second match of the day, Kenkre FC registered a solid 3-1 victory over Bidesh XI Sports Club. Soumya Guguloth broke the deadlock before second-half strikes from Jyoti and Puja Karmakar wrapped up the three points. Stessi Cardozo grabbed a consolation goal for Bidesh deep into stoppage time.

Gokulam run riot against Kenkre FC, KRYPHSA stun defending champions Sethu FC

AIFF Media 

Gokulam Kerala FC ran rout in their Hero Indian Women’s League fixture against Kenkre FC, registering a gargantuan 10-1 victory at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Tuesday, January 28. 

Gokulam’s Nepali striker Sabitra Bhandari was the star of the show, as she scored five goals. Karishma Shirvoikar notched-up a hat-trick for herself, while Manisha netted two more to make it 10 for the Kerala side. 

KRYPHSA FC registered a stunning 2-0 victory over defending champions Sethu FC. Ratanbala Devi scored in either half to wrap up the three points, leaving the champions contemplating and wounded.

Kenkre ride on Soumya hat-trick to register win over Odisha Police, Baroda FC cruise past BBK DAV

AIFF Media 

Kenkre FC overcame Odisha Police by an overwhelming margin of 4-1 at the Bangalore Football Stadium in the Garden City today (January 25, 2020). Skipper Soumya Guguloth (25', 39', 69') scored a fantastic hat-trick alongside Samiksha (45'+1') to take an unassailable 4-0 lead for Kenkre FC before Jabamani Soren (87') scored one late goal for Odisha Police.

In the second game of the day, Baroda Football Academy registered a stunning 3-0 victory over Punjab’s BBK DAV Football Club. BBK’s Mahima Bishnoi scored an unfortunate own goal before Sushmita Lepcha and Akanksha Kandalkar wrapped up the three points for Baroda.