AIFF Media Team

VADODARA: There were goals galore on the opening day of action in the AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2023-24 at the Swarnim Gujarat Sports University in the Vadodara district of Gujarat on Saturday, June 22, 2024.

Classic Football Academy, Bangalore Arrows and Thyristor FC Ramhlun Venglai all registered big wins to start their campaigns in Groups A, B and C, respectively.

Classic FA make a solid return
In the opening game of the tournament, Classic Football Academy marked their return to the national stage after two seasons with an 8-1 thumping of Sports Odisha in Group A. 18-year-old Chuingampou Kamei netted a first-half hat-trick, while Yendrembam Rohit Singh and Yumnam Banty Singh scored one each to put the Manipur side 5-0 up at the break. The onslaught continued in the second period with Ningthoujan Renedy Singh's brace and another from Paonam Govin Singh to take Classic's tally to eight. Sports Odisha got a consolation goal through Jagannath Tudu three minutes from time.

Bangalore Arrows FC put 18 past Satvir FC
Group B saw Bangalore Arrows FC make a Futsal Club Championship debut to remember as they beat Satvir FC 18-2. The goals arrived symmetrically - nine in each half for the Karnataka side. Nikhil Ayyappa Nunna scored the majority of them, with seven goals to his name. Yogith N and Surya UK added a hat-trick each, while V Surendra Prasad scored a brace and Narendra Prasad Vincent Mari netted once. Satvir FC's Abhinav Dahiya and Pawan scored an own goal each. The latter also found the back of Bangalore Arrows' net alongside Ramandeep Singh as they scored two consolation goals for Satvir FC, who became the first side to represent Haryana in the tournament.

Thyristor FC make sensational debut
In the last game of the day, Thyristor FC Ramhlun Vengai overcame an early deficit to thrash Speed Force FC 9-2 in Group C. The Telangana side went ahead in the third minute when Mohammed Ahtesham Ali squared the ball for Sachin Bangera to tap into the open net. Thyristor FC equalised four minutes later as Lalhmangaiha's intended cross was turned into his own net by Shaik Umair. The Mizoram side then took the lead three minutes before the break thanks to Laltluanzela's thunderous strike into the top corner.

Two minutes into the second half, R Lalawmpuia served it on a plate for his namesake Lalawmpuia to make it three. Immediately, Ibrahim Ali reduced the deficit for Speed Force with a solid finish from a narrow angle. But from then on, it was one-way traffic as Thyristor fully flexed their muscles, scoring six unanswered goals in the last 13 minutes to make it 9-2 as Speed Force ran out of gas. K Roluahpui and Peter Lalrinhlua scored a brace, while C Lalrinhlua and Zonunsanga contributed a goal each.