AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Drama unfolded in the closing seconds of a pulsating encounter at the Keenan Stadium, Jamshedpur as Bidyananda Singh’s 93^th minute penalty conversion gave the AIFF Academy, Navi Mumbai a 3-2 win over East Bengal FC in a Round Three fixture of the Under-19 I-League.

The AIFF colts went off to a flying start and broke the deadlock in the 14^th minute courtesy of Gursimrat Singh Gill. Off a corner taken by Bidyananda Singh, the defender arrived unmarked at the far post to powerfully head home and put his team into the lead.

After coming close on several occasions, East Bengal finally clawed their way back into the game following a rare defensive lapse by the AIFF youngsters in the 34^th minute. Miscommunication between ‘keeper Arshdeep Singh and defender Nishu Kumar off a cross whipped in from the left wing enabled East Bengal forward Jiten Murmu to capitalise and tap into an unattended goal.

Two minutes later and East Bengal were in the lead after a free flowing move that started on the left flank and ended with a sublime finish on the right. Goalscorer Jiten took two defenders in his stride and squared the ball across the face of goal, setting up Somnath Nayek who beat the keeper with a low strike into the bottom corner.

The scores were levelled in the 41^st minute when midfielder Moinuddin Khan split the East Bengal defence with a precise through ball at the edge of the box to release Milan Basumatary, who placed the ball past the advancing ‘keeper and into the far corner to make it 2-2 heading into the half time break.

With the scores even, both teams began pushing forward in search of the winning goal as chances came in thick and fast.  East Bengal almost took the lead in the 75^th when Jiten shook off his marker and unleashed a powerful shot from fifteen yards out, only to be denied by a reflexive save by Arshdeep, who made amends for his earlier mistake.

The AIFF coaches brought on Delbert Fernandes to replace Moinuddin Khan for the final minutes of the game and the ploy worked as the striker was brought down inside the penalty area with his first touch of the game and the referee immediately pointed to the spot. With the game now into the second minute of stoppage time, team captain Bidyananda stepped up to take the decisive penalty and sent the keeper the wrong way with an effortless finish.

The final whistle sounded seconds later, sparking wild celebrations on the AIFF bench. The victory takes their points tally up to six points – level with Sesa Goa and one behind leaders Tata Football Academy - and followed by East Bengal who have now dropped to fourth place with four points.