Next Generation Mumbai Cup: Chelsea, Young Champs impress

11 goals were scored were scored across the three games on the day.

The youth team of Chelsea continued their enviable run of form with a convincing 5-0 win over their counterparts from FC Goa during the third day of the PL-ISL Next Generation Mumbai Cup 2020 here at the Reliance Corporate Park Football Ground, Navi Mumbai. Goa started steadily and were disciplined in their defensive approach from the beginning. Despite the boys from Chelsea maintained possession of the ball for the majority of the match, the home team ensured that the Blues were not able to pierce the defence to bother Gaurs’ goalkeeper, Micky Dias. However, the boys from Chelsea continued to press the Goa midfield and through the flanks, in search of finding an inroad inside the box. Prajoy Gawde put in some timely challenges and he was well-supported by Reezvon Fernandes who managed to keep the Blues at bay during the initial part of the game. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] However, Chelsea broke the deadlock in the 24th minute before a goalfest in the following six minutes. Kamarni Ryan broke free from the shadows of his marker and comfortably slotted the ball into the net. Just a minutes later, Ato Ampah, who had a brilliant outing against Southampton yesterday set up a perfect assist for Jack Phillips’s goal just before the half time whistle. Phillips bagged his brace through some deft touch in the 29th minute finding the corner of the net. Kamarni grabbed his opportunity of doubling his tally when he took on Goa’s defenders and manoeuvred the ball into the back of the net through a neat strike from near the box. FC Goa’s Bryson Pereira nearly reduced the deficit for Goa but his header found the back off the crossbar in the 40th minute. Finally, Ato Ampah put his name on the scoresheet as he stepped up to take a spot-kick in the injury time and to the top-right corner to conclude a five star performance for his team. Result: Chelsea FC [Kamarni Ryan 24' 30’, Jack Phillips 25+1’, 29’, Ato Ampah 50+2’] beat FC Goa: 5-0 RFYS Young Champs strike late to beat Bengaluru FC The Reliance Foundation Young Champs managed to find the net in the dying minutes of their thrilling encounter against Bengaluru FC to register a 2-0 victory in an evening fixture on Day 3 of the PL-ISL Next Generation Mumbai Cup 2020 at the Reliance Corporate Park in Navi Mumbai. As has been their style of play during the past couple of days, the Reliance Foundation Young Champs started off aggressively and looked to impose their attack on the Bengaluru boys. The hosts stitched passes together across the midfield and created a constant threat on the flanks. [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] RFYC lad Chirag Bhujel, in particular, was impressive as he kept troubling the opponents’ back. The winger created a major opportunity as he raced through the right wing on one occasion and unleashed a strong left-footed shot but could not find the back of the net. However, Bengaluru FC held on in the first half through their strong defence led by Rajanbir Singh. The solidity at the back allowed the Bengaluru outfit to counter attack and with one offensive move testing RFYC goalkeeper Aniket Ghosh in the 22nd minute. RFYC continued to ascend in the second half as well and searching for the opening goal of the match. They came close to breaking the deadlock in the 39th minute when Harsh Vaghela saw his shot go wide of the far post from inside the box. Three minutes later, the striker had another chance but his header flew agonizingly above the bar. RFYC finally found the back of the net in the 49th minute when Aarush Kamath towered above the opposing defenders and deposit the ball in. Harsh then added to the hosts’ tally in the fourth minute of stoppage time to help the Reliance Foundation Young Champs notch their second victory of the tournament. Result: Reliance Foundation Young Champs [Aarush Kamath 49’, Harsh Vaghela 50+4’] beat Bengaluru FC: 2-0 Manchester United trounce Southampton The boys from Manchester United prevailed against Southampton Under-14s with a 3-1 win in the final game of day three in the PL-ISL Next Generation Mumbai Cup 2020 at the Reliance Corporate Park Football Ground, Navi Mumbai here today. Despite the ‘Young Saints’ put in an arguably improved performance learning from their previous mistakes, the United youngsters relatively had it easy. Southampton winger Ryan Chavez-Munoz was industrious throughout the first half, as he chased his opponents to win back the possession and also carved in some good balls into the box. However, United’s right-back James Nolan whipped in a cross which Ethan Wheatley converted for the opener in added time of the first half. Southampton could have levelled after the restart, but Adetokunbo’s strike was conveniently saved by the opposition’s shot-stopper. Just a few minutes later though, Alfie Prescott curled in a clear shot from the edge of the box to bring Southampton back into the game. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="RELATED NEWS | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] It took merely a few minutes for them to restore their lead through a goal by Ethan Williams in the 38th minute. Williams’ initial shot was saved by goalkeeper Bastian Smith. However, he showed a calm demeanor to get behind Bastian and then slot the ball in through the rebound. They were relentless from thereon, as Dylan Sime was fed a short pass by James Nolan inside the box which the former tapped into the net and further stretched his team’s command over this game. Southampton tried hard to claw their way back but were unfortunate eventually and the final whistle ruled the game in the favor of Manchester United. Result: Manchester United FC [Ethan Wheatley 25+1’, Ethan Williams 28’, Dylan Sime 45’] beat Southampton FC [Alfie Prescott 33’]: 3-1