AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Three goals in the opening forty five minutes set the stage for a win for Sesa Goa against the AIFF Regional Academy in the final round of matches in the U-19 I-League Final Phase at the JRD Stadium, Jamshedpur.

The scoreline gave no justice to the AIFF colts, who dominated proceedings for lengthy periods and eventually ended up paying for all of the missed opportunities in front of goal throughout the course of the game.

With East Bengal securing second place earlier in the day with victory over Shillong Lajong, the focus was now on a third place finish for both teams.

Sesa raced into an early lead after hitting the AIFF youngsters on the break in the 13th minute. Striker Jaison found himself in a one on one situation with the 'keeper and placed the ball into the far corner to make it 1-0 to the Goan outfit.

The AIFF colts responded within a matter of minutes when a surging run into the box by Robinson Singh and a subsequent lay-off was converted by Milan Basumatary for a well-earned equaliser.

Sesa surged ahead for the second time in a spectacular fashion when Olvin's powerful long-range strike from thirty five yards swerved viciously before finding the top corner of the goal.

Three minutes on and Sesa grabbed their third in a near-identical fashion. Midfielder Estevan found himself with time and space outside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful strike with rebounded off the upright - and off the hapless 'keeper before rolling into the back of the net - for an unfortunate own goal.

On to the second half and the AIFF outfit pushed forward and continued to create opportunities only for the forwards to come up short every time. Eventually, the lead proved to be unassailable despite all of the Academy Boys’ best efforts and they slumped to their third defeat of the competition.

The win meant that the Sesa Goa finished third in the overall standings with nine points while the AIFF Academy finished in fifth with six points.