AIFF Elite Youth League: 10-man Sports Mania down ARA F.C in hard fought battle
Pune, 16th January 2025: Sports Mania once again turned out to be a winning unit by logging their fourth away win over ARA F.C in Pool-H of the AIFF Elite Youth League. Sports Mania who were reduced to 10-men completed a hard-fought 2-1 over win over ARA F.C at the Adani Shantigram Football Ground, Khodiar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Sports Mania found themselves a man down and a goal down after an hour’s play. After a goalless first half, Sports Mania lost Vedant Jaiswal in the 51st minute of play. Vedant’s tackle on the rivals’ attacker after Rajeev Kamble missed an overhead pass proved costly as Vedant’s act was penalised.
Three minutes later, ARA F.C went one-up through Kitamcha Toijam (54th).
Down by a goal, Sports Mani pushed for the equaliser and were rewarded when Prithviraj Patil (60th) netted the equiliser to make it 1-1. The goal was Prithviraj’s third in the competition. Prithviraj netted after gaining from a defender clearance that rebounded off a midfielder leaving Prithviraj in the clear and the goal ahead to score.
Back on level terms, Pune-based Sports Mania, Pune struck the match-winner ten minutes from time through Shaunak Dhapte (80th) to complete the third ‘away’ victory and third in the group stage of the league. The goal came off a corner-kick taken by Shaunak, who quickly ran into position on top-of the box and won possession of the ball. Controlling the lose ball Shaunak scored by finding the top corner at the first post.
Down to 10-men Sports Mania enjoyed maximum ball possession and dominated the game till the end.
Sports Mania now have 12 points in their kitty and have one ‘away’ match left against group leaders Zinc Football Academy.
