Heartbreak for FC Goa as Bengaluru clinch third RFDL title

Panaji: FC Goa gave it their all but fell short against Bengaluru FC (0-1) in their maiden final of the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) at Atal Stadium, Bambolim, on Saturday.
The teams went toe-to-toe from start to finish but it was substitute Haobam Ricky Meetei’s late strike that made the difference as Bengaluru established their supremacy in the U-21 competition by winning their third title in five editions.
Bengaluru were in impeccable form after demolishing Kerala Blasters FC 10-0 on aggregate over the two-legged semifinal. At the national group stage, Renney Singh’s side scored 17 and conceded eight. They had five clean sheets as well, proving their defensive stability.
Goa cruised past Punjab FC 5-2 in the last-four stage. Both teams met earlier in the group stage twice with Bengaluru winning 2-0 and then settling for a 1-1 draw.
In the final at Bambolim on Saturday, Goa missed Sitroy Carvalho the most. The influential centre-back was red carded in the second leg semifinal and missed the most important game of the season.
The teams were cautious right from the start but still came close to opening their goal-scoring account. Backed by the home crowd, Goa should have taken the lead before the break when Asher Rodrigues intercepted the ball and found Shaikh Ismail on the right wing. The winger delightfully dribbled past two rival defenders, but his effort was blocked by Bengaluru custodian Aheibam Singh.
In the second half, Bengaluru came close in the 54th minute when Ricky picked out Taorem Kelvin Singh from distance. The latter’s attempt however scraped the wrong side of the upright.
Bengaluru finally broke the deadlock in the 81st minute. A powerful shot by Kelvin Singh rebounded off a Goa defender and fell straight to Ricky, who unleashed a left-footer from the edge of the box, past Goa keeper Lionel Rymmei.
Goa went all out in the remaining minutes to secure the equaliser but had no success.
Goa’s maiden appearance in the final was cheered by the home crowd, and the players took a lap around the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, during the half time of FC Goa’s ISL clash against Mumbai City.
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