RFYC qualify for RFDL Championship in style, East Bengal defeat Mumbai

Reliance Foundation Young Champs beat Ramthar Veng 2-1.

Reliance Foundation Young Champs (RFYC) are through to the National Championship of the Reliance Foundation Developmental League (RFDL) following their thumping victory against Ramthar Veng FC in their National Group Stage encounter in Mumbai on Wednesday.

The RFDL National Championships will comprise four teams from the 20 who have made it through the on-going group stage matches going around across four locations in the country. ATK Mohun Bagan are the other side to have made it to the final four whereas the competition for the other two spots is still up and running.

RFYC too good for Ramthar Veng FC

The RF Young Champs battled a fairly competitive fight from the Ramthar Veng FC to takeaway three points from this contest. The team began the proceedings positively, getting ahead in the fourth minute courtesy a strike from the spot by midfielder Supratim Das.

Actually, the team clarified their intent right from the offset, commencing with a great momentum in their side and earning a penalty mere minutes after the kick-off.

They didn’t let go of that opportunity and ensured that they held the pole position in the game for over an hour. However, a moment of defensive frailty from their end resulted in Ramthar opening up a small window of opportunity that they gave it their all to capitalise upon in the final quarter of the game.

The Young Champs conceded a penalty in the 62nd minute and PC Lalruatsanga comfortably stepped up from the spot to convert his kick and equalise the scores at a very important juncture of the game. It was an intensely fought next 30-odd minutes thereafter, with each side looking to secure the winner with equal vigour and desperation.

They pushed each other to the edge and overcame a lot of offensive pressure until Young Champs’ in-form forward and number seven Chirag Bhujel found the breakthrough and the back of the net with a sensational goal in the 82nd minute!

The RFYC cruised through the regionals with an impeccable record of 10 victories in 10 games and their run in the nationals suggest that they are one of the most proficient sides to keep an eye out for at the end of this tournament. 

East Bengal beat Mumbai in their own backyard

In the other match, East Bengal handed a pretty comprehensive 2-0 defeat to Mumbai City FC at the Reliance Corporate Park (RCP) later on in the day. The Islanders kept the Red and Gold Brigade at bay for almost an hour.

The first-half rounded off goalless but the visitors came back with greater vigour and incisiveness in their forward forays in the second essay of the game. Their towering forward Himanshru Jangra broke the deadlock in the 59th minute and East Bengal ensured that they put in every bit of effort required to defend that lead until the final whistle was blown. So much so, that they ended up being booked thrice in the last 10 minutes. Midfielder Aman CK was at the centre of it all, accumulating his two yellow cards in the 85th and 93rd minutes respectively before being sent off.

However, a goal against the run of things by East Bengal substitute Rupam Roy, in the 96th minute, helped them seal the deal and complete a terrific victory against a very promising looking Mumbai City FC team.

Brief Scores

RF Young Champs 2 (Supratim Das 4’, Chirag Bhujel 82’) – 1 (PC Lalruatsanga 62’) Ramthar Veng FC

East Bengal FC 2 (Himanshu Jangra 59’, Rupam Roy 90+6’) – 0 Mumbai City FC