The third day of action at the AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2023-24 witnessed nail-biting and see-saw battles at the Swarnim Gujarat Sports University in the Vadodara district of Gujarat on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Home side Baroda Football Academy and last season’s semi-finalists Electric Veng Futsal Club began their tournament with wins, while debutants Corbett FC continued their fine form, picking their second win in a row to go top of Group A.

Corbett FC make it two wins in two

Debutant side Corbett FC maintained their perfect record in Group A as they beat Millat FC 6-2 in the opening match of the day. On Sunday, Corbett beat Nyenshen 9-0 but were stunned early on against Millat when Merick Fernandes opened the scoring for the Maharashtra side inside the first minute. However, Corbett replied with two goals from Jenishsinh Rana and PC Lalruatsanga to take a 2-1 lead at half-time. The second half would be all one-way traffic as Lalruatsanga scored three more goals, while Pratik Swami added another for the Uttarakhand club. Sunny Koli’s 30th-minute goal for Millat was only a consolation.

Electric Veng edge Goal Hunterz in an eight-goal thriller

Last season’s semi-finalists Electric Veng Futsal Club began their campaign in Group B with a come-from-behind 5-3 victory over Goal Hunterz FC, whose quarter-final hopes have taken a big hit following their second straight loss. The first half was a see-saw battle, with Goal Hunterz twice taking the lead through Mukul Singh Shoun and Bijoy Gusai, but Electric Veng equalised on both occasions thanks to Rony C Lalenkima’s brace. The Mizo side then struck twice in quick succession in the 24th minute via Lalremtluanga and Lalrinzuala H to go 4-2 ahead. Manav Sharma reduced the deficit for the Delhi club two minutes later, but Lalrinzuala struck again in the 33rd minute to seal the three points for Electric Veng.

Baroda FA blitz past Guwahati City
In the last match of the day, home side Baroda Football Academy got their Group C campaign underway with a 3-2 win over Guwahati City FC. After a cagey first half, the game sprang to life when Kenumdi Siarau handed the Assam side the lead in the 24th minute. Baroda FA responded swiftly with as many as three goals between the 34th and the 36th minute — a brace from Saurabh Nikam and one from Parth Badgo — to go 3-1 up. Techi Tatra got another goal for Guwahati City in the 39th minute, but it wasn’t enough to save them from a second defeat in as many days.