Acharya Institute edged past Baldwin Methodist College 2-1 to walk away as champions of the Rotary Bangalore Indiranagar-KSFA President’s Cup inter-collegiate football tournament here at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Both the teams had a man sent off as the second half wore on and the sparse crowd enjoyed themselves with the sound of drums a constant feature during the match.
Acharya, whose team had lots of African students, took the lead in the eighth minute through forward Noel Fabiano who took advantage of a misunderstanding at the back to nip in and finish calmly past the goalkeeper who hesitated to venture out of the six-yard box.
Baldwin levelled through Prathiksh in the 20th minute.
Forward Ronylson wasted little time in putting Acharya in front again in the 24th minute following a diagonal from midfielder Murangwa Jean Baptiste from the left.
Baldwin’s task become more challenging after Prashanth received his marching orders with a straight red for a very soft tackle in the 48th minute. Referee Vijaykumar also sent off Acharya’s Rungtu Issiac with a second yellow a couple of minutes later.
That proved to be the last significant action of the match as Acharya successfully wound down the clock.
Result: Final: Acharya Institute: 2 (Noel Fabiano Morjan 8th, Ronylson 24th) bt Baldwin Methodist: 2 (Prathiksh 20th).
Special Awards: Best defender: Domnic Joseph (St Joseph’s Commerce College).
Best midfielder: Prashanth (RBNMS PU College).
Best forward: Rosing (St Joseph PU).
Best goalkeeper: Mruthyunjay (Baldwin Methodist).
Player of the tournament: Ronylson (Acharya Institute).