Best goals of the TFA shield

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The recently-concluded Aima-TFA Shield all-India football tournament at the Nehru Stadium witnessed as many as 54 open play goals from 15 matches.

Mouth-watering assists and superb build-up play embellished the 10-day tournament, which was embraced by Chennai’s fans. Deccan Chronicle picks the best five goals that set the tournament on fire.

1. Lucky semi-finalists RCF came from behind to score an improbable win against one of the hot favourites, Chennai Customs, in the quarterfinals.

After RCF’s Gurpreet Singh made it 1-1 in the second half, his captain Amrinder Singh produced the goal of the tournament.

Receiving the ball near the centre circle, Arminder sent in a screaming right-footer that brought the crowd on its feet. Customs goalkeeper A. Arun Pradeep was a mere spectator when the ball whizzed passed him.

Score-line recap: RCF Kapurthala 2 (Gurpreet Singh 76; Amrinder Singh 80) bt Customs 1 (Ramesh 8). MoM: Gurpreet.

2. In the semi-final, Kerala Police let RCF off the hook not once but twice in the contest. However, the police unit held their nerve to win the tie-breaker.

Earlier, Kerala’s opening goal by striker Nazarudeen left the audience in awe. Nazarudeen, after noting that RCF goalkeeper Mukhwinder Singh was off his line, fired in a pulverising right-footed half-volley from nearly 35 yards that almost tore the net. The supply was made by Nazarudeen’s partner Firoz.

Score-line recap: Kerala Police 6 (2) (Nazarudeen 44; Firoz 65) bt RCF Kapurthala 4 (2) (Balaraj Singh 64; Abhishek 88). MoM: Firoz.

3. In the quarterfinals against Southern Railway, Kerala Police left-winger Sadhik Ali left his markers — C. Sirajudeen and R. Meyappan — in his wake with a sparkling run on the touchline.

Sadhik, then, skilfully cut inside before sending in an inch-perfect cross that was guided in by Jipson. Sadhik’s breezy run and precise assist were more spectacular than the goal itself.

Score-line recap: Kerala Police 2 (Jipson 14; Nazarudeen 44) bt Southern Railway 0. MoM: Sadhik Ali.
4. ICF forward M. David’s strike helped his team take the lead against AGORC in the semis.

Once again, the assist was more sublime than the goal. ICF substitute Suresh Kumar, touching the ball for the very first time, hoodwinked his marker near the touchline before firing in a long-range curling cross that fell right on David’s feet.

Score-line recap: ICF 4 (1) (David 58) bt AGORC 1 (Naveen 85). MoM: V.P. Sathish Kumar (ICF goalie).
5. Striker P.C. Riju’s goal in Southern Railway’s big win against South United FC (Bengaluru) in their opening game was scored with panache.

Playmaker Rajesh set up the pint-sized magician with a delightful through ball on the left. In turn, Riju rounded his marker Amitraj Banshi before deceiving South United custodian Harpreet with a smart left-footed finish.

Score-line recap: Southern Railway 4 (R. Rajesh 12; PC Riju 62; M. Elamurugan 66; Charles Anandraj 83) bt South United FC 1 (Amoes 30). MoM: Rajesh.

Top-scorers of the tournament: S. Fredy (ICF, 5 goals); M. David (ICF, 3); Firoz (Kerala Police, 3); M. Ramesh (Customs, 3).