AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Goalkeeper Faiyaz Shaikh emerged as the superman of the day as SESA Football Academy edged AIFF U-19 Elite Academy 4-3(FT: 1-1) on penalties to book a spot in final phase of 127^th edition of the Durand Cup.

The match began with SESA FA having the lion’s share of possession and looked threatening every time when they entered the AIFF half. The AIFF colts nevertheless stood firm.

Nishu Kumar was found guilty for his continuous overlapping stints leaving empty spaces down left for SESA FA’s No 8 Melwyn Fernandes to run into. The winger sent a low dipping cross for Jaison Vaz whose acrobatic diving header in 30^rd minute gave the Sesa FA the lead.

Sesa FA continued to make life difficult for the AIFF colts and opportunities began to desiccate with Faiyaz Shaikh keeping out Milan Basumatary’s effort on both the occasions when he tried to break through.

SESA FA almost doubled their lead from thunderous free kick by Girish Naik, clipping the crossbar just 2 minutes into the break.  

At the Half time, the score was 1-0.

After the restart, the moments of hesitancy at the back continued to plague the AIFF’s side, but they remained firm favourites and came closest to settle the debts on three more occasions.

AIFF Elite Academy introduced their passing machine Hayden Fernandes, who gave a focal point with Daniel Lalhlimpuia playing up front. At the other end, two reflexive saves from the AIFF’s custodian Arshdeep Singh kept his team in the contest.

Tactical Switches of bringing on Amey Ranawade for Japes Singh and Kamalpreet Singh for Milan Basumatary brought the proceedings under AIFF’s control. Substitute Amey Ranawade was instrumental to shorn off SESA FA’s lead in the dying moment of the game, when his pin-pointed cross was swiftly tapped past rival goal keeper by Daniel Fernandes keeping the AIFF’s dream alive.     

In the penalty shoot-out, Sesa FA’s goal-keeper Faiyaz Shaikh saved two spot kicks to send his team to the Final Phase of 127^th edition of the Durand Cup.