Indian Army FT seal their quarter final spot
Indian Army FT booked their place in the quarterfinals after they played out a goalless draw in their final Group F match against Rajasthan United FC in the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup played at the SAI Stadium.
The Army side qualified for the knockouts by securing seven points of three matches while Rajasthan United finished second with four points of three matches.
Highlights of the game
Rajasthan started the match and they caught out to the Indian Army FT in the first minute.
There was no Rajasthan attacker to finish Zoma’s cross across the six yard box.
Indian Army settled quickly to the conditions. Deepak Singh was troubling with his pacey runs in the right wing as he created the best chance of the half for the Army side.
His cross could not be converted by Rahul Ramakrsihnan as he shot above the crossbar.
Deepak Singh came close to scoring minutes later as his shot past the post, beating keeper Sachin Jha.
On the other hand Lalchungnunga and Richardson Denzell tested the Army keeper. Indian Army defended deep knowing that a draw was enough for them to qualify for the quarterfinals.
Ragav Gupta forced a brilliant save out of Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir as his shot was acrobatically tipped over the bar by the keeper.
As both teams go goalless after the First-Half.
The second half was a cagey affair with both teams trying hard to break the deadlock but there were very few clear cut chances for either team to score.
Rajasthan who needed a win from the match to qualify were trying to force the issue upon the Army side. The Army men were resilient and had an answer to all of the pressure.
Rajasthan United piled up the pressure in the final minutes of the game but the Army side soaked up all the pressure and held on to the draw to made sure they booked their place in the quarterfinals.
Kerala Blasters score five past Indian Air Force
A hat-trick by Bidhyasagar Singh ensured Kerala Blasters finish their 132nd Indian Oil Durand Cup campaign on a high with a dominant 5-0 win over Indian Air Force Football Team.
Md. Aimen opened the score line for Kerala Blasters in the ninth minute through a long ranger while Bidhyasagar Singh doubled the lead for them three minutes later.
Danish Farooq’s goal in the 57th minute gave the blasters a three-goal lead while a brace from Bidhyasagar in the 62nd and 82nd minute ensured a fitting closure to their campaign in the Durand Cup.
Highlights of the game
The game began with the Blasters attacking from the start. Bidhyasagar Singh along with Md. Aimen ensured the Indian Air Force defenders never had an easy moment guarding their end.
The Blasters tasted success early on in the 9th minute when Md. Aimen found the back of the net beating Indian Air Force Goal Keeper Subhajit Das from an accurate long ranger.
Minutes later Bidhyasagar doubled the lead for the Malabarian’s through a cross diagonal shot in the 12th minute by a Danish Farooq assist.
The game thereafter was a display of complete domination from the Blasters over the Indian Air Force.
However, a more vigilant defense line and an attentive Subhajit at the post ensured that the first half came to an end with the score line reading 2-0 to the favour of Kerala Blasters.
The second half of the game was a showcase of Kerala Blasters superiority over the Indian Air Force side.
Danish Farooq scored the third goal for the blasters in the 57th minute which was followed by a brace from Bidhyasagar in the 62nd and 82nd minute that helped him finish the game with a hattrick.
Kerala Blasters finally wrapped up their 132nd Indian Oil Durand Cup Campaign with an emphatic 5-0 win over Indian Air Force FT.
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