AIFF Media Team

New Delhi: AIFF Elite Academy get an astounding 4-1 victory over Minerva Punjab FC in the Group C opener of the U-18 I-League National Finals at the Barasat Stadium in Kolkata today (April 28, 2017).

Lalengzama Vangchhia (19') opened the scoring before Edmund Lalrindika (33', 38') scored a brace to take it to 3-0 in AIFF Academy's favour at the halfway mark. Krishna Pandit (65') Pulled one back for the Punjab-outfit but the Minerva defender Thoiba Singh (76') netted an own-goal to nail the final one in their own coffin.

Defending champions AIFF Elite Academy, who are touted to be one of the favourites in the National Finals, started strongly today. 

The Floyd Pinto-coached side took less than 20 minutes to net their first goal when Kishan passed it on to an onrushing Zama who on a turn, shot it from the top of the box to rattle the net.

After the clock ticked the half-hour mark, Edmund pummelled twice in eight minutes to take the scoreline to an unassailable mark of 3-0.

After the changeover, Krishna Pandit, an ex-AIFF Academy cadet scored a screamer to put some life back into the match.
14 minutes to the end of the regulation time, Tulunga floated a cross from the top of the box and it went into the net after a rebound of Thoiba Singh.

There was no late drama in the match as the match ended with the same scoreline. AIFF Academy are slated to take on DSK Shivajians on April 30, 2017, at the same venue.