We Are Going Up : FIIOB qualifies to ASL Division 1!

It looked like the journey came to a full circle when FIIOB Kolkata defeated FC Bengal 2-1 in the play-off to qualify for Amateur Soccer League Division 1 this Sunday!

FIIOB team huddle before their match against Young Guns

FIIOB Kolkata participated in inaugural season of Amateur Soccer League (ASL) and was placed in Division 2 which started on 21st February. The first edition of ASL has seen 16 teams divided in 2 divisions and the tournament took place in league format only. Each team got to play 7 games and first two teams from division 2 qualified directly to division 1. The 3rd and 4th placed teams faced each other in a play-off to decide the third qualifying team.

FIIOB Kolkata saw some unexpected results at the start of league when they lost to FC Bengal in opener, followed by a defeat against Bally Young Star, the eventual Champions, both by 1-2 and found themselves at the bottom of the league after matchday 2. However, the team turned things around in following games when veteran striker Prasenjit started firing goals.

The team registered their first win on matchday 3 against BFB by 2-0 when Belawal opened the scoresheet with a long ranger, followed by a calm finish from Prasenjit. The very next day, on matchday 4, they defeated EBRP 3-1 with Prasenjit scoring a brilliant first half hattrick.

FIIOB Kolkata faced Young Guns next on matchday 5 and won 3-0 as Prasenjit continued scoring. The no. 15 scored a brace while Bijoy finally found his scoring boots. The team suffered a setback against Avengers City FC on matchday 6 when they lost 1-2 conceding at last minute despite a smashing equalizer by Belawal, which can easily be the contender for Goal of the Tournament.

Coach Jeet congratulating the scorer Bijoy

The final matchday saw probably the best team performance in whole league when the team defeated RAFA 2-1 after going 0-1 down - thanks to a couple of brilliant headers by Bijoy. The win ensured FIIOB Kolkata finishes 3rd in the table with 12 points in 7 games and qualified for the play-off for promotion to division 1.

FC Bengal, the 4th placed team was the opponent in the play-off, against whom the team lost their opening game of the league campaign but this time it was a different story.

A cunning finish by Bijoy early in first half saw the team taking lead 1-0. FC Bengal continued their fightback and found their equalizer in the middle of 2nd half when a freekick blindsided goalkeeper Mayukh. Just when the game looked like it will head onto extra time, a long throw from centre back Soumik saw Bijoy scoring an extraordinary goal which probably outdid Belawal's long ranger versus Avengers City FC. The number 9 took a defender on his back, ran into the box and when realized the throw-in is looping into the box but behind him, he decided to go for a back flicked volley with outside of his right boot into the other corner. With the 2-1 victory in play-off, FIIOB Kolkata qualified to division 1 for next season of ASL.

The team will be participating in ASL Super Cup next week.