AIFF Media Team

VADODARA: Minerva Academy FC, Ambelim Sports Club, and Delhi FC occupied the top spots in Group B, C, and D, after winning their respective matches in the AIFF Futsal Club Championship at the Swarnim Gujarat Sports University, in the Vadodara district, Gujarat, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Minerva consolidate spot atop Group B

Defending champions Minerva Academy FC of Chandigarh defeated Electric Veng FC from Mizoram 7-5 in a match that ebbed and flowed both ways, to open up a six-point gap at the Group B summit.

Electric Veng began the better of the two sides, racing into a two-goal lead in the early exchanges. Minerva were a determined bunch, however, and soon found their way back. Rinzuala (9’, 34’) and Marema (23’, 27’) netted two for Electric Veng, and Ruatsangi Pa added another (12’). Meanwhile, Thongkhongmayum Naoba (16’, 32’) scored two for Minerva, while Himanshu Thapa (14’), TN Lunminthang Haokip (18’), Chanpreet Singh (29’) Samson Keishing (33’), and Himanshu Jangra (34’) netted a goal apiece.

While the side from Mizoram were the more dominant of the two, keeping possession, Minerva were more effective on the break, using the pace and physique of the likes of Himanshu Jangra and Andrew Buru to great effect. They shifted gears in the second half to get into a commanding two-goal lead before a red card to Electric Veng’s Sawmpuia in the last minute dashed all hopes for the Mizoram side.

Millat FC win a thriller

Millat FC from Maharashtra registered their first win as they defeated Nyenshen FC of Nagaland 6-5.

The side from the west coast shot off into an early lead after Sunny Koli scored in the first minute, followed by Merick Fernandes’ strike just three minutes later. However, Nyenshen’s Chingtaipou scored two in as many minutes (12’, 14’), before captain Mezibui put them in the lead from the penalty spot (14’). Danzel Fernandes (17’) scored again before the breather, as the two teams ended the first half locked at 3-3.

Lamsanggin Hansing (28’) scored the first of the second half for Nyenshen, but Danzel Fernandes netted his second of the match (30’) to equalise before Thulunso Yimchunger’s (33’) and Alok Singh’s (34’) goals cancelled each other out. Millat left it till the last minute, as Merick Fernandes scored the winner (39’).

Ambelim SC beat Baroda FA

Hosts Baroda Football Academy were defeated by Ambelim Sports Club 1-2, as the latter provisionally moved to the top of Group C in the competition.

Shashank Rana (7’) put Baroda into an early lead, but Ambelim slowly clawed their way back into the game. Their patience paid off in the second half, when Fredsan Marshall (33’, 34’) scored two in quick succession, to win it for the Goan side.

Delhi FC overcome JCT challenge

Delhi FC came from behind to defeat JCT Football Academy 4-3 in the last match of the day.

Krishna (4’) and Parth (7’) scored early to give JCT an early cushion, but Lamgoumang Kipgen (8’) quickly pulled one back for Delhi. However, Karanpreet Singh’s 11th minute strike ensured that the side from Punjab went into the break with a one-goal lead.

Delhi FC’s Huidrom Poirenganba Mangang turned up when it mattered the most, scoring back-to-back goals (25’, 26’) to win the match for his side.