2nd Division League: Matchday 1 [12/01-14/01]

The opening week of the 2nd Division League: ATK [R] win over Mohammedan, Nigerian Princewill Emeka picks up where he left off and points shared between the reserves and debutantes.

ATK Reserves triumph over Mohammedan Sporting

Group C, Kolkata, 12 January 2019: Mohammedan SC 0-2 ATK (R)

ATK (R): Thomyo L. Shimray (26′), Sheikh Azaruddin (59′)

ATK scored a goal in each half to pick up three points in the league opener this last Saturday.

Mohammedan started the game well and were pressing ATK high up on the pitch while ATK played a fluid passing game to counter the threat from the Mohammedan press.

Almost against the run of play, Shimray capitalised on a defensive mistake and opened the scoring for the Reserves side. After a bout of more attacking intensity by Mohammedan, the teams went into the break with ATK leading by a goal.

The second half finally saw the Mohammedan team work the ATK goalkeeper with a couple of shots on target. But their efforts to get back into the game proved futile after ATK doubled the lead from a Azaruddin free-kick to settle the game in their favour.

Man of the Match: Sumit Rathi [ATK Reserves]

Nigerian Prince delivers for TRAU FC

Group C, Jamshedpur, 13 January 2019: Jamshedpur (R) 0-1 TRAU FC

TRAU FC: Emeka (53′)

A goal from the Nigerian captain of TRAU FC, Princewill Emeka Olariche in the second half was enough for TRAU FC to win away from home.

The forward who was the second highest goalscorer in the league last season could’ve picked up a brace, but was denied by the Reserves custodian Amrit Gope who had a standout game in goal.

The Jamshedpur FC side fought well after conceding, but couldn’t find the equaliser as TRAU FC picked up all three points at ‘The Furnace.”

Ozone FC win the Bangalore Derby

Group B, Bengaluru, 14 January 2019: Ozone FC 1-0 South United FC

Ozone FC: Manvir Singh (Penalty – 72′)

Ozone FC started the game better than South United and dominated play in midfield. Ozone had a couple of attempts on goal early on in the first half saved by the South United keeper Jayanth Kumar.

South United struggled to find their feet in the game in the first half. They were better in the second half and posed more of a threat. However, they ended up conceding a penalty in the 72nd minute and Manvir Singh stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way.

After going down, South United went hammer and tongs at Ozone FC for the rest of the half, but a last-gasp equaliser was not in the offing for the side.

Goalless draw in a reserved affair in Kochi

Group B, Kochi, 14 January 2019: Kerala Blasters (R) 0-0 Chennaiyin FC (R)

Kerala Blasters and the Chennaiyin FC reserve teams played out a draw in Kochi on Monday.

Both teams had moments in the game where they could’ve sealed three points. KBFC’s Pragyan Gogoi missed from the spot while Chennaiyin FC put the ball in the back of the net courtesy Bedashwor Singh, but it was disallowed for a foul on the keeper.

Stalemate between the Second Division League Debutantes

Group C, Kolkata 14 January 2019: Rainbow AC 0-0 Chhinga Veng FC

Chhinga Veng FC held Rainbow AC to a draw in Kolkata on Monday.

The two clubs are playing their first season in the 2nd Division League. Chhinga Veng FC are coming off a good campaign in the Mizoram Premier League where they finished runners-up while New Barrackpore Rainbow AC compete in the Kolkata Premier League.