AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Midfielder Malsawmzuala’s 79^th minute winner capped off a remarkable comeback for the AIFF Academy, Navi Mumbai in a 2-1 result against Delhi’s Hindustan FC in the opening round of league games of the Under-19 I-League Final Stage at the Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur on Monday (April 21, 2014).

Hindustan FC qualified for the final round courtesy of their first place finish in the ‘Rest of India – B’ Zone while the AIFF Regional Academy had earned their place as winners of the Maharashtra Zone.

The AIFF Academy youngsters were quick off the blocks in the early stages and created a host of chances in the opening quarter. Promising strikes by Suman Sarkar and Amey Ranawade in the 12^th and 14^th minute respectively almost resulted in the game’s opener – the ball zipping agonizingly wide of the crossbar on both occasions.     

The game came to life deep into injury time at the end of the first half when Hindustan FC took the lead against the run of play. Midfielder David Johnson Orro’s perfectly timed run found him in a one-on-one situation with the AIFF keeper and his expertly executed flick from a full twenty five yards out sailed into the back of the net for the opening goal.

On to the second half and the urgency in the AIFF Academy’s attacks was evident as they pushed forward to get back into the contest. The youngsters launched a series of attacks only to hit the woodwork on three separate occasions while two dramatic goal-line clearances by the defenders kept Hindustan FC’s slender lead intact.

The equaliser finally arrived in the 74^th minute when Gursimrat Singh Gill - who had been outstanding in the game marshalling the AIFF defence – made his most vital contribution in the team’s attack. Arriving unmarked inside the penalty area off a corner taken by Bidyananda Singh, the defender unleashed a powerful shot which cannoned into the roof of the net.

The AIFF youngsters were finally rewarded for all of their persistent attacks when Malsawmzuala scored the all-important winner with the game heading into its closing stages. The midfielder was at hand to convert off a well-placed strike from the edge of the penalty area that crept in off the post.

At full time, the AIFF Regional Academy had recorded their first win of the final round and will now face hosts Tata Football Academy on the 23^rd of this month while Hindustan FC’s campaign continues with a game against Shillong Lajong.