AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Ahead of their maiden appearance in the U-19 Tournament for I-League, Second Division and Academy Teams, the AIFF Regional Academy, Navi Mumbai were involved in a weeklong camp at the AIFF Training Centre in Goa.

The Boys played practice games against two Goan clubs at the Chowgule Sports Complex in Margao.

The youngsters won their opening match against Goa Second Division outfit Guardian Angels FC with a margin of 4-1. Striker Milan Basumatary shone in the first half with a brace, finding the back of the net in the 17th and 23rd minute from two long-rangers. Basumatary followed it up with a well worked move down the left flank which was finished with a well-placed header by Prasanth K in the 32nd off Rakesh Oram’s cross.

The rout was complete in the 82nd minute when second-half substitute Harpal Singh unleashed a sublime chip from the edge of the penalty area which sailed past the keeper and into the top corner of the goal. 

The Angels pulled one back in stoppage time but it was all too little too late as the AIFF colts registered a comfortable 4-1 win.

On to the second game of the series and the Academy boys registered another 4-0 victory, this time against Jesus Nazareth FC.

Rakesh Oram broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, reacting quickest to convert off a rebound from a corner by Bidyananda Singh. The Goans responded well and tightened up their rearguard with their goalkeeper in particular pulling off a string of saves in quick succession. Their efforts bore fruit as the teams went into the half time interval with the score at a slender 1-0.

Change of ends saw multiple changes in the Academy line-up saw the Goans succumb their second of the game. Substitute Anathu Murali scored in the 49th and 52nd minute, keeping his cool on both occasions in one-on-one situations with the goalkeeper to slot home from close range.

The pick of the goals arrived when newcomer Vicky Khaidem scored the final goal in the 78th with a clinical header off an equally impressive cross by Amey Ranawade from the right flank.

The boys kick-off their I-League campaign from January 15 when they take on Mumbai FC U-19 at the Fr. Agnel's Sports Complex, Vashi.

Results

AIFF Regional Academy 4 (Milan Basumatary 17', 23', Prasanth K 32', Harpal Singh 88') Guardian Angels FC 1 (Mauriciano Rebello)

AIFF Regional Academy 4 (Rakesh Oram 12', Ananthu Murali 49', 52', Vicky Meetei 78') Jesus Nazareth FC 0.