Mumbai, 24th March: Muthoot FA edged Classic FA while Mohun Bagan Super Giant beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 in a close encounter in their Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2024-25 National Group Stage match at the Reliance Corporate Park in Mumbai on Monday.
Muthoot FA continued from where they left off in the RFDL Zonal Group Stage in Kerala, by overcoming Classic FA’s challenge. The two sides were evenly matched throughout the first half and neither could find the breakthrough to take the lead.
At the hour mark however, Muthoot FA captain Arjun Raj stepped up to put his side ahead. Abin Rajan’s pinpoint delivery from a corner kick ensued a melee inside the box and the midfielder took advantage of the situation to head the ball home from close range and make it 1-0. Muthoot FA managed to thwart danger to hold onto the scoreline and pick up the three points.
In the afternoon kick-off, Mohun Bagan Super Giant managed to grab the three points against a gritty Mumbai City FC. The Mariners took the lead just before the half-time break courtesy of an inch-perfect free-kick from Leimapokpam Sibajit Singh. Thumsol Tongsin earned a foul right at the edge of the box in the 44th minute and Sibajit expertly struck the ball around the Mumbai City FC wall to hit the back of the net and make it 1-0. Mohun Bagan Super Giant’s confidence grew with that lead and they went on to double it up in the 56th minute. Pasang Dorjee Tamang delivered a precise cross inside the box and Vian Murgod comfortably headed it in the bottom left corner. The Islanders did get one back in the 71st minute through Mohammed Jaffer, but the Mariners held on to their lead till the end.
After the win, Mohun Bagan Super Giant Reserves Team Head Coach Deggie Cardozo stated, “The first game is always difficult. Our young players are learning and developing themselves individually as well as a team. We could have done better in finishing, but these are good three points for us. We have seen our next opponent, Muthoot FA, and our technical staff and I have analysed their game. We know how we should prepare and play against them so we’ll do that and it will be an important game for us.”
Earlier on Sunday, Kickstart FC Karnataka defeated NorthEast United FC 1-0 in their 7:00 PM kick-off at the Reliance Corporate Park. A brilliant counter-attacking move in the 60th minute was squared off in an ecstatic manner by Kickstart forward Premish T with his left foot, courtesy of an assist from midfielder Hebi C. The Karnataka-based side held on to their lead to register an upsetting victory against the Highlanders who have been one of the most feared teams in the RFDL National Group Stage.
Brief Scores:
Kickstart FC Karnataka 1 (60’ Premish T) – NorthEast United FC 0
Classic FA 0 – Muthoot FA 1 (61’ Arjun Raj P)
Mumbai City FC 1 (71′ Mohammed Jaffer) – Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2 (45′ Leimapokpam Sibajit Singh, 56′ Vian Murgod)
Fixtures:
Wednesday, 26th March 2025
8:00 AM | Diamond Harbour FC vs East Bengal FC
4:00 PM | Kickstart FC Karnataka vs Jamshedpur FC
7:00 PM | FC Goa vs NorthEast United FC
The RFDL 2024-25 National Group Stage matches are streamed live on RF Youth Sports YouTube channel.
About RFDL: Now in its fourth season, Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) is designed to be a platform for the top U-21 football players to showcase their talent in a highly competitive environment. The tournament is one of India’s largest and most inclusive U-21 youth tournament comprising teams across 9 regions in India from Indian Super League, I-League division I & II and Independent Academies / Clubs nominated by the State Football Associations.
