In a surprising turn of events, the star-studded Bloodmouth Club was defeated 1-0 by Tripura Police in the Rakhal Shield knockout football tournament organised by the State Football Association. The match was held at Umakanta Mini Stadium.
Bloodmouth’s midfield was noticeably weak, and their forwards lacked the usual spark. In contrast, Tripura Police, with their experienced players, came into the match with a clear game plan. Anup ML provided exceptional leadership to the Police defense, ably supported by goalkeeper Manish Debbarma who showcased a stellar performance and single-handedly fulfilled his responsibilities.
Pritam Hussain was a dominant force in the midfield for Tripura Police, effectively neutralizing Bloodmouth’s attacks. The red and black team’s offensive plays were consistently thwarted by the Tripura police team. Erroneous passes from Bloodmouth players, especially from the midfield, contributed significantly to their defeat. They failed to accurately distribute the ball, often ended up gifting possession to the opposing defense.
To revive their league campaign, Bloodmouth will need to significantly improve their performance. Despite assistant coach Abu Taher’s attempts to turn the match in their favor by making substitutions, the players couldn’t find their rhythm. Bloodmouth’s goalkeeper made several crucial saves, preventing a larger margin of defeat. While Suraj played well, the defense struggled to keep tabs on the Police players.
In the 52nd minute, a powerful header from Bikram Kishore Jamatia, following a shot by Badal Debbarma that hit the post, gave Tripura Police the lead. This goal, set up by Pritam, ensured their progression to the quarterfinals. Satyajit Debray officiated the match. Tripura Police will now face Jewels Association on Tuesday. On Monday, Birendra Club will take on Lal Bahadur Vyayamnagar.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
