Rajasthan United FC – 2 (Youssef 73’, Barbosa 89’) Indian Navy FT – 0
Kolkata, Monday, September 05, 2022:
Rajasthan United FC (RUFC) created history by
qualifying for the quarter finals of the 131st IndianOil Durand Cup, beating the Indian Navy Football
Team 2-0, here at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK). Second half strikes from Youssef Atriss and
SergioBarboza Junior, ensured RUFC claimed second spot in Group B. Mumbai City FC had already
qualified as group toppers. ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB), who also finished with seven points in the
group as the top two, bowed out on account of having lost to RUFC in the opening game of the group.
All 47 games of the 131st Durand Cup are being telecast LIVE on Sports18 1 SD & HD and Sports18
Khel as well as livestreamed on the Over the Top (OTT) platform VOOT!
Even First Half
RUFC who needed a win to qualify for the knockouts, started on the front foot against the Navy side
who were playing for nothing but pride, having garnered just one point from their three earlier matches
and with no chance to qualify. But both teams could not create any clear chances as the game was mostly
played in the middle of the park. There were a lot of stops and starts to the game as both teams committed
fouls while trying to break up each other’s moves.
The best chance of the half came for RUFC when William Pauliankhum ran into space and Navy keeper
Vishnu V.K came way out of his box to narrow the angle. William dribbled past the keeper and crossed
for a waiting Youssef Attris, who had to just tap it inside, but Navjot Singh made a last ditch tackle the
save his team the blushes. Indian Navy FT also had a good chance to take the lead when Harikrishna
made a good move from the left and cut back for Jijo, whose shot flew over the bar.
RUFC dominate the second half
RUFC started the second half by attacking the Navy box relentlessly. Every move looked like a goal
scoring opportunity. Second half substitutes Sergio Barboza and 17-year-old Gyamar Nikum added
more teeth to RUFC’s attack. But an exemplary performance under the bar by the Navy captain and
keeper V.K Vishnu, singlehandedly denied RUFC. He made saves after saves including one which
qualified as the save of the tournament when he tipped onto the bar a volley from Uruguayan Martin
Chaves.
RUFC finally broked the deadlock in the 73rd minute through Lebanese striker Youssef Attris. A shot
from Ragav Gupta from outside the box was well saved by Vishnu but the rebound fell to Barboza who
crossed past Vishnu and Youssef had to just tap it into an empty net.
The sense of relief also brought about the second goal after an excellent through ball by Nikum was met
by Barboza’s run in the 89th minute and he finished confidently past Vishnu to seal the game for his
team.
