Kerala Blasters, Sudeva star in RFDL National Qualifiers of Reliance Foundation Developmental League
Mumbai, 26th April 2023: Five matches of the National Qualifiers of the Reliance Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) rounded off in Mumbai, Bengaluru and Delhi on April 25th-26th. The National Group Stage matches of the RFDL are being held across four zones from April 23rd – May 8th and the groups comprise of clubs belonging to the Indian Super League (ISL), I-League as well as many other state football leagues (SFA).
The top side from each of the groups will qualify to feature in the Next Generation Cup to be held in Mumbai in May. There were several exciting results on Thursday with the developmental teams of ISL, i.e. Kerala Blasters and FC Goa reiterating their dominance in some style against their respective oppositions in the matches held in the Bengaluru Football Stadium (BFS).
Mumbai
The Mumbai leg saw an arguably marquee clash resulting in a goalless draw on Tuesday. Mumbai City FC and the Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) battled it out at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) under lights at 8pm.
Despite the best of attempts of both sides, the teams failed to break the deadlock and they eventually settled for a point each from this encounter. RFYC and the Islanders are placed in the second and the third spot in the standings respectively but they will be looking to get their first victory under their belt in their forthcoming matches.
Bengaluru
Kerala Blasters putting five goals past the Little Flower Football Academy (LIIFA) Trivandrum at BFS in an early morning kick-off on Wednesday.
Muhammed Ajsal scored a terrific hat-trick whereas Mohammed Aimen and Tejas Krishna S netted once each to help the Blasters record a dominant victory against their state rivals. Saivon Ericson E got on the scoresheet for LIIFA but it was too little too late as the Blasters cruised to their way to the top of the table after their opening fixture.
In the other fixture, FC Goa struck three goals and maintained a clean sheet against Sreenidi Deccan at the same venue in the 9am game. The Gaurs had Leewan Castanha, Makan Winkle Chothe and Versly Paes to thank for their one strike each but it was their defensive solidity against Sreenidi that helped them set up well for their highly-anticipated encounter against the Kerala Blasters on Saturday.
Delhi
Sudeva Delhi FC were the big victors with their flawless 4-0 performance against Chanmari FC at Civil Lines under the scorching sun in a 1pm kickoff. Shubho Paul was the star for Sudeva with a hat-trick that helped them seal the three points as Phoenix Oinam’s solitary goal enabled them to inflict a bigger defeat upon Chanmari.
Chawnpui FC and Muthoot FA played out a rather neck-to-neck game at the same venue in their 4pm kickoff. Muhammed Adhnan struck once for Muthoot FA as Ephraim Lalremtluanga scored for Chawnpui to ensure that their efforts were cancelled out by each other and that their team took away a solitary point from this faceoff. Sudeva sit at the top of the table in the northern standings with two victories so far as they head into the third round game against Garhwal on Saturday with their head held high in confidence.
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