Picture Credit: Fateh Hyderabad AFC Media
Hindustan FC and South United FC yet to notch a win; Rainbow AC, Fateh Hyderabad and Chhinga Veng FC remain unbeaten at the end of Matchday 5 of the Second Division League.
Hindustan FC slump to their fourth defeat
Group A, Delhi, 20 February 2019: Hindustan FC 0-2 ARA FC
Ahmedabad-based ARA FC have completed a league double over Hindustan FC having beaten them earlier in the season at home. ARA needed a win today and were on a bad run of form having lost their previous two games to Lonestar Kashmir and Bengaluru FC B.
The start turn for the club from Gujarat was new signing Parminder Singh. The forward had turned up for FC Kerala and Mohammedan Sporting previously and it was his brace that sealed the three points for ARA FC.
The first goal came in the 23rd minute after Parminder made a solo run from midfield and put it past the Hindustan FC keeper. Parminder got his second of the day late in the second half after controlling an aerial ball on his chest, dribbling past a few Hindustan FC defenders and scoring.
The ARA captain Shoaib Ahmed who was returning from an injury created a strong impression in attack. He was instrumental in the reverse fixture earlier in the season where he bagged a hat-trick.
While ARA are on the ascendancy, Hindustan FC have lost all four games they’ve played so far and their qualification chances into the next round look bleak.
Rainbow AC continue their unbeaten run
Group C, Kolkata, 21 February 2019: ATK (R) 0-0 Rainbow AC
The Kolkata-based teams played out a draw at the Howrah Stadium on Thursday.
The ATK reserves had the better chances in the first half. Thomyo Simray’s attempted chip failed to beat the Rainbow keeper who handled the ball outside the box.
In the second half, Rainbow’s Joel Sunday got very close to putting them in the lead, but was denied by a superb save by the ATK custodian.
Rainbow continue to lead Group C with Chhinga Veng two points behind with two games in hand.
South United FC remain winless
Group B, Bengaluru, 22 February 2019: South United FC 1-3 Kerala Blasters FC (R)
It was a debut to forget for the South United keeper Royal Basumatary. Kerala Blasters [R] dominated the first half and scored two goals.
South United tried to mount a comeback in the second half and pulled back a goal. However, a goal from the Blasters late in the second half ensured all three points went to the ISL reserve team. Esha, Noarem and Pragyan were the goalscorers for Kerala Blasters Reserves.
South United haven’t won a game this season and are last on the Group B table. They will now try to seek that elusive win on 26th Feb when they take on Chennaiyin FC Reserves.
Fateh Hyderabad maintain their perfect start to the season
Group B, Bengaluru, 22 February 2019: Fateh Hyderabad AFC 2-1 Chennaiyin FC (R)
Fateh Hyderabad made it three wins out of three games after winning against Chennaiyin FC Reserves to go top of Group B.
The game started with the Reserves dominating possession. However, it was Fateh Hyderabad who broke the deadlock after a corner set-piece was converted by a header from Naro Shrestha in the 34th minute. Chennaiyin Reserves had a couple of great chances to level the scores, but could not find the net as Fateh Hyderabad led going into the half-time break.
The second half saw some end to end football as both teams looked to score. With a quarter of the game to go, Chennaiyin FC Reserves brought on the Santosh Trophy represent for Tamil Nadu, Syed Suhail Pasha and the move immediately paid dividends.
Suhail managed to head past the Fateh Hyderabad custodian from a set-piece delivery in the 72nd minute to level the scores.
Chennaiyin FC Reserves haven’t won a game in the league this season and a corner delivery late into the second half proved to be their undoing again. This time it was Haileuyibe Iranggau who scored with a simple tap-in in the 86th minute to snatch three points for Fateh Hyderabad.
Chhinga Veng FC prove too strong for TRAU FC
Group C, Imphal, 23 February 2019: TRAU FC 0-2 Chhinga Veng FC
Tiddim Road Athletic Union lost their first game of the season after going down to Chhinga Veng at the Khuman Lampak stadium.
Chhinga Veng dominated possession in the first half and scored early in the sixth minute with
Thasiama finding himself on the score sheet. A second goal came in the 39th minute from
Lalliansanga and the Mizo side looked comfortable going into the second half.
TRAU tried to get back in the game and had a few chances, but they looked tired and leggy considering they were participating in a local tournament couple of days before today’s encounter.
With the win, Chhinga Veng move in second position on the Group C table.
GROUP STANDINGS
Group A
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Bengaluru FC (R) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 15 | 9 |
| 2 | ARA FC | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 | -2 | 6 |
| 3 | FC Goa (R) | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 4 | Lonestar Kashmir | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 5 | Hindustan FC | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 20 | -17 | 0 |
Group B
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Fateh Hyderabad AFC | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 6 | 9 |
| 2 | Ozone FC | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 6 |
| 3 | Kerala Blasters FC (R) | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 4 | Chennaiyin FC (R) | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 2 |
| 5 | South United FC | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 11 | -7 | 1 |
Group C
| POS | TEAM | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| 1 | Rainbow AC | 5 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 9 |
| 2 | Chhinga Veng FC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
| 3 | ATK (R) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 4 | TRAU FC | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 5 | Mohammedan SC | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 6 | -5 | 1 |
| 6 | Jamshedpur FC (R) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | -8 | 0 |
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