Mohun Bagan Super Giant To Meet Classic FA In Reliance Foundation Development League Final

Mohun Bagan Super Giant and Classic FA registered resounding wins in their Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2024-25 semi-final matches against Jamshedpur FC and FC Goa respectively to set up a highly-anticipated final on Monday at the Reliance Corporate Park in Mumbai.

Mohun Bagan Super Giant swept past Jamshedpur FC 5-1 in their crucial semi-final clash to move into the final. The Red Miners had taken a lead right in the beginning of the game via Bivan Jyoti Laskar. The forward took advantage of a poorly-cleared ball by the Mariners’ defence and drove it in with his left foot to give his side the lead in the 13th minute.

However, Mohun Bagan were quick to bounce back from the early setback and took just five minutes to level the scores. Leimpokpam Sibajit Singh’s aerial delivery was met with a flying header by Sahil Inamdar as the ball took a bounce before landing in the back of the net, catching the Jamshedpur FC defence off-guard. From that point onwards, Mohun Bagan Super Giant gained control over the game and never looked back. They went on to take the lead in the 22nd minute through Loitongbam Taison Singh, who caught the Red Miners’ backline napping as he drove a grounded shot from his right foot into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Mariners performed a quick counter attacking move and following a string of combination passes Sandeep Malik found Serto Worneilen Kom completely unmarked inside the box and set him for their third goal, as Mohun Bagan Super Giant went into the break with a 3-1 advantage.

In the 72nd minute, Serto Worneilen Kom produced a moment of sheer brilliance, hitting the top left corner with a lightning strike from distance to make it 4-1 and take the game further away from Jamshedpur FC’s reach. Mohun Bagan Super Giant refused to give up and registered

their fifth goal of the day in the 78th minute, this time through substitute Shibam Munda and completed a massive statement victory to progress into the RFDL 2024-25 National Championship final.

In the second semifinal, Classic FA registered a comfortable 3-0 win over FC Goa to set up a final date against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Classic FA started the game on a strong foot and dominated the proceedings right from the get-go. At the half hour mark, the Manipuri

outfit finally found their first breakthrough. Md. Arbash’s corner kick resulted in a melee inside the box and the ball fell Punit Thangjam’s feet who struck it first time to find the back of the net.

Before the Gaurs could find their feet back in the game, Md. Arbash delivered another impeccable delivery from the corner. This time, however, the ball’s trajectory saw it land directly into the net, leaving the FC Goa goalkeeper helpless and resulting in a superbly struck Olympic goal. Classic FA, thus, headed into the dressing room with a comfortable two-goal lead.

In the 78th minute, the Manipur academy put the game to bed by scoring their third goal. Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh capitalised on a mistake from the FC Goa defence and went on to take a touch and beat the goalkeeper from the edge of the box.

Results: Jamshedpur FC 1 (13′ Bivan Jyoti Laskar) – Mohun Bagan Super Giant 5 (18′ Sahil Inamdar, 21′, 72′ Serto Worneilen Kom, 78′ Shibam Munda)

Classic FA 3 (30′ Punit Thangjam, 45′ Md. Arbash, 78′ Ningthoukhongjam Rishi Singh) – FC Goa 0

Cricket Mantras beat Success 11

Cricket Mantras clinched a dominant 47-run victory over Success 11 in the Future Stars Cricket Championship in Sangli on Friday. Mantras posted a competitive total of 145/9 in 20 overs, thanks to a crucial 49-run knock by S. Patil off 34 balls and a steady 23-run contribution by Sanchit Pawar.

In reply, Success 11 crumbled under pressure, bowled out for 98 in 17.1 overs, as Sanchit Pawar starred with the ball, earning the Man of the Match title for his impressive three-wicket haul. He was well-supported by A. Kanekar, who delivered a clinical spell, taking two wickets for just seven runs in 2.1 overs.

In another match, SM18 Cricket Academy secured a convincing seven-wicket win over RUCA, successfully chasing down the target of 120 in just 13.3 overs, finishing at 122/3. Man of the Match Vivek Patil played a match-winning knock of 52 runs off 35 balls. He was well-supported by A. Patil, who contributed a handy 25 off 19 balls. SM18’s disciplined bowling attack earlier restricted RUCA to 119/8 in 20 overs, with A. Patil also shining with the ball, taking two wickets for 28 runs, and S. Bargaje delivering an economical performance, grabbing two wickets for just 17 runs.

Mumbai City FC draw with CFCI

Mumbai City FC and CFCI played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the Mumbai Premier League at Nevile D’Souza Ground, Bandra on Friday. The match, which saw six minutes of added time in the second half and two minutes and forty-five seconds in the first, kept fans on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

Both sides registered 13 shots each, with Mumbai City FC slightly edging the shots on target at 6 to 5. Possession was nearly split down the middle, with Mumbai City FC holding 51% to CFCI’s 49%. The game was remarkably clean, with no fouls, cards, or disciplinary actions recorded. Each team had two offsides and three corners, reflecting the balance in gameplay. The match showcased high-paced football and tactical discipline, ending with both teams sharing the spoils.

Nirvign Academy thrash Balveer Sports

Nirvign Academy dominated Balveer Sports with a massive 43-16 win in the opening match on Friday in the Tagore Nagar Mitra Mandal Aayojit Kabaddi Spardha. In another women’s match, Navshakti emerged as a powerhouse, defeating Shivkanya 38-14 and continuing their winning streak by overpowering Nirvighna 38-13 in a one-sided contest.

In the Men’s division, Gurudatta edged past Mulund Krida in a tight 24-20 battle, but later faced a narrow defeat against Utkarsh Krida Mandal with a final score of 27-29. Utkarsh Krida Mandal also registered an impressive 37-22 win over Jay Shankar Chowk, establishing themselves as strong contenders.