First Half
IG United faced a team that was of a similar standing technically and in physical conditioning. The first half was largely even with some neat possession in midfield from IGU. As the half wore on, the opponents were stretched and resulted in them commiting some hard tackles in last ditch defending efforts. There was a neat run from Bridar through the centre, which however failed to see the net. Another good run between Aiyappa and Mayank saw the goal in clear sight, which was sadly stopped due to a foul being ruled, thus bringing the ball back and the opponents’ defense back as well. Despite these chances and a few more the final ball was proving elusive. The opponents took some decent shots from distance, but Nikhil did well to have them covered. However, a quick counter attack compounded by an error from Gagan provided them with the best scoring opportunity of the first half which was spurned. They also almost had a goal from a bicycle kick, which was ruled out for high boot. With a couple of the starters coming off in the heat, it didn’t look like a goal was likely. However, that’s when Shiven stepped up to take a shot from more than 30 yards out that bamboozled the keeper with some late movement. This put the IGs a goal up and with that they put on some more pressure. There was some good passing between Aiyappa and Payodh, with Payodh further taking the ball between the centre defense gap while battling an opponent defender, to unfortunately see the ball getting cleared. There was better pushing of the ball to the wings, which saw an opportunity missed by Yash with 2+ men in the D. The half ended with a good run between Aiyappa and Bridar, and a cross coming in from Bridar from the right, with Aiyappa narrowly missing an open header into goal.
Second Half
Second half saw IGU continue their good work from the first half, neat in possession and solid at the back with opponents restricted to a few chances. On more than one occasion, the opponent’s hopeful throughballs were mopped up by Nikhil in goal. There were a couple of good moments going forward with a good cross from Sam just eluding the striker and Madhav going forward from right-back taking a shot on goal when put through by Payodh. But the score continued to stay at 1-0, with an arguably legitimate goal ruled out by the referee for Aiyappa’s 50/50 challenge on the opponent’s keeper - payback perhaps for the bicycle kick in the first half. Pasir Ris's best moves came down their right flank and not too many on their left. One particular move that ended with cutback from the winger, dummy by the striker and shot wide from the midfielder at the edge of the box was especially impressive. That’s when Aiyappa stepped up to score two goals in quick succession to make the match comfortable. The first was especially good coming on a break, with Aiyappa showing some good feet to get past the defense on his own. The second came through with a throw-in awarded from the efforts of Sam, and good throw-in taken by Payodh. A few deflections within the D saw the ball reach Aiyappa in the centre of the D who looped it over into the right corner. Better movement along the wings from Anju, Sam and Mayank saw many more chances in this half with one particular chance from Anju missing the far post by couple inches. When Gagan sent Bridar through with an excellent ball, it looked like the goals would come by the bucketload. But with that chance spurned the opponents got back into the game when their winger showed some good skill to turn neatly beyond Gagan before finishing very well. Probably an avoidable goal, but by this time the midfield was tiring and there was probably some complacency as well. IGU avoided any further headache by closing out the game comfortably for a win that ended 3-1.