AIFF boys beat FC Twente, end day I with 4 points

Courtesy the results, the Academy Boys who form the core of the U-16 National Team ended the day fourth in the table with four points from three matches. They will take on the might of defending champions PSV Eindhoven and Belgium’s KRC Genk on Sunday to complete the group matches.

AZ Alkmaar lead the group table with nine points from three matches owing to wins over KRC Genk 1-0, 9-0 rout of RKTVC and trouncing AIFF U-16 3-0.

PSV on the other hand are on seven points sitting second after winning against FC Twente 3-1 and a 9-0 mauling of RKTVC, playing out a goalless draw against KRC Genk in between.

Belgium's KRC Genk are third because of superior goal difference winning against FC Twente, drawing with PSV and losing to AZ.

The team who finishes top from both the groups will lock horns for the first prize with the second place teams vying for third place. Likewise teams finishing third will play for a fifth place finish.

Twelve teams are divided into two groups of six with the top two advancing to the semifinals. Match duration is 40 minutes.

AIFF’s U-16 Boys are in Group A along with Dutch outfits FC Twente, PSV Eindhoven, and AZ Alkmaar, Belgium’s KRC Genk, and RKTVC’s own team.

The tournament – which is inhabited by top teams with World Class Youth Development like PSV, Rotterdam Feyenoord, FC Twente, and FC Utrecht among few– are having three newcomers this season in the form of Omiya Ardija, and Budapest Honved FC from Japan and Hungary respectively along with AIFF U-16 Team.

PSV beat Feyenoord by a goal to nil last year to bag the coveted youth prize.

In the first match against RKTVC’s own team, the boys started on the front foot. Left back Amey Ranawade’s warning shot hit the frame as early as in the seventh minute. Soon after the versatile Prosenjt Chakroborty warmed rival keeper’s gloves with a dipping effort from the edge of the area.

Changing over, chances were few and far apart as the battle was mostly in midfield. Jerry Lalrinzuala whipped in a freekick from 25 yards but it did little to test the keeper. A t the other end, there was little activity as the AIFF rearguard stood firm.

There was no loss of momentum in the second match against more accomplished opponents in the form of FC Twente.

It was nine minutes on the clock when the Boys in blue got their reward for pressing high up the pitch, as Nijwm Muchahary rounded off goalkeeper after stealing possession just deep inside rival territory.

The striker who has scored twice previously in the Holland sojourn swiveled past his marker to then round the advancing keeper and glide home.

India went into the break leading by a goal. They came back inches away from making it 2-0. Amey was once again denied by the woodwork seconds after the restart.

Luck was not with Amey but certainly favoured the brave as dominant India turned heads to upset the Dutch heavyweights the tie by a goal.

Buoyed by the string of two good results, the Boys lined up against AZ Alkmaar. The Dutch outfit took the lead in the 15th minute only to double it five minutes later. Changing over, the group toppers added to their cushion by netting another five minutes from fulltime.