AIFF U-18 Academy moved a step closer to book a semifinal slot of the IFA Shield when then routed Mohun Bagan U-19 4-0 in a Group B match at the Barasat Stadium today.
This was the second win for the Academy boys and they next face a strong Frenz United, Malaysia in their next match on Wednesday.
The Academy boys scored two goals in each half to emerge winners in what was a one-sided match. Goals from Amal Das and Edmund Lalrindika in the first half and Prosenjit Chakraborty and Jerry Lalrinzuala in the second half settled the issue for the U-18 I-League Champions.
It was all AIFF in the first half. They attacked with authority right from the start and earned dividends soon. The multi faceted Prosenjit Chakraborty, who made merry throughout, initiated one in the 11th minute which paved the way for the corner from which the colts surged into the lead.
Off the corner, Anirudh Thapa swung in a delightful ball from the left hand side which fell invitingly for central defender Amal Das who made no mistake in driving it in from close range.
Despite scoring an early goal AIFF looked hungry for more and they bossed the midfield -- Thapa and Abhishek Haldar reluctant to let the reins go off their hands.
The second goal followed soon. Baoringdao Bodo played a wonderful through pass to Abhishek Haldar who was brought down in the box. With the referee pointing to the spot, Edmund Lalrindika thumped it in from the spot.
Changing over, the colts earned a corner almost immediately which almost led to the third goal but rival goalkepeer Debnath Mondal came up with a splendid save.
Debnath also stayed in the thick of things 10 minutes later when he denied Edmund Lalrindika after the latter had split open the defence with a solo run.
The third goal which looked only a matter of time eventually came in the 59th minute. Jerry played to Prosenjit who finished it off with his left foot from inside the boy -diagonally blasting it into the top corner.
Seven minutes later AIFF made it embarrassing for the Green and Maroons as Jerry Lalrinzuala capped off a dream move with a picturesque finish. Edmund started off the move with a pass towards Bodo whose dummy foxed two Bagan defenders allowing Jerry to slot it home.
