Hat-tricks by Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Prasanth, allowed a rampant AIFF Elite Academy to breeze past a hapless Dempo SC 9-0 in the qualifying round of the Under-19 I-League on Saturday, January 31 at the Sesa football ground in Sircaim.
Playing for pride, Dempo SC started their penultimate match of the competition by successfully keeping the in-form AIFF Elite Academy at bay with a systematic defensive work; until Daniel Lalhlimpuia ruined their party with a sweetly timed header, following Nishu Kumar’s dipping cross from left. Daniel Lalhlimpuia, again made the most of his opportunity as he evaded his markers with guile movement; only to latch onto a defence piercing ball from skipper Robinson Singh to place it low past rival keeper to double the lead.
Daniel's brace opened the floodgates for the AIFF Elite Academy; as Prasanth rapidly completed his brace too in the frame of two minutes; first he did justice to Lalramzauva's lay-off in 30th minute, which ricocheted off the goalkeeper only for Prasanth to bury the ball into the back of the net, then following a nearby exchange in the 31st minute, he scored with a sublime touch and doubled his goal scoring account. At half-time, the scoreline read 4-0.
A minute after the restart, things rapidly crumbled for Dempo SC and echoes of a first half hammering surfaced back, when Prasanth completed his treble. In the 52nd minute, Daniel Lalhlimpuia took center stage and completed his hat-trick, as Moinuddin's header, which recoiled off the keeper, was consequently rocketed into the back of the net, by Lalhlimpuia.
A bad day quickly got worse for the host, when Amey Ranawade's scored a marvelous goal with a solo effort in the 84th minute and Kamalpreet Singh completed his brace on Nishu Kumar’s dual assist in 54th minute and 85th minute of the game. At the final Whistle, the AIFF Elite Academy cruised into the final round of the Under-19 I-League in style.
The AIFF Elite Academy will be facing Sporting Clube de Goa in their next away fixture on February 4 at Don Bosco Ground in Panjim, Goa.