Durand Cup 2022: Kerala Blasters seal a spot in the quarter-finals

The Kerala Blasters (KBFC) have qualified for the quarter-finals of the 131st IndianOil Durand Cup. They defeated the Army Green Football Team (AGFT) 2 – 0 in a Group D match at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati to earn themselves the prized spot. Muhammed Aimen and Aritra Das scored for the winners who were dominant throughout the game.

The game had a great flow from the beginning from both sides. The teams played some attacking football in each other's box. KBFC started to control the midfield with Vibin Mohanan and Muhammed Azhar, who have been consistently good in the tournament, calling the shots.

They found the attacking foursome of Ajsal, Gaurav, Aimen and Roshan from time to time and were creating pressure on the Army defence.

The first goal came from such a move involving Roshan, Ajsal and Aimen. Roshan carried the ball from the right and found Ajsal in the middle who found Aimen on the left wing.

Muhammed Aimen unleashed an exquisite right-footed curler into the top left corner to give the Blasters the lead.

The youngsters of KBFC have made a habit of scoring wonderful goals throughout the tournament and the second goal was one such. In stoppage time, Aritra Das carried the ball down the left wing, entered the box and struck a bullet of a shot into the top corner. Army keeper Rolua Puia was left stunned.

Army Green was good in patches with PC Lallawmkima making some good runs inside the box but their lack of finishing in the final third made them suffer the defeat.

The Blasters qualified for the knockouts with seven points while AGFT has one game remaining against table toppers Odisha FC, which will be played on September 04, 2022.