Wolves 2 (Keto-Diyawa 1, Fraser 7) RF Young Champs 0
Two goals inside the opening seven minutes earned Wolves under-19s their second win from as many games in the Premier League’s Next Generation Cup in Mumbai.
It took just 27 seconds for Aaron Keto-Diyawa to break the deadlock, before Nathan Fraser scored his third goal of the tournament shortly after to ensure a comfortable victory over Reliance Foundation Young Champs.
In the scorching heat in the middle of the afternoon at Reliance Corporate Park, James Collins opted to freshen up his side and made six changes from the opening game win against Everton.
In came Marvin Kaleta, Keto-Diyawa, Fil Mabete, Kam Kandola, Josh Esen and Dylan Scicluna, while Stan Amos was brought into the matchday squad and took his place on the bench.
Despite coming up against an unknown quantity in their Indian opponents, the Old Gold took the lead with little under 30 seconds on the clock.
Keto-Diyawa’s lofted cross was too long for Fraser in the centre, but instead the ball unintentionally found its way into the back of the net as it looped over the top of Malhar Umesh Mohol.
GOAL OF THE TOURNAMENT FROM @WolvesAcademy? 🤯#PLNextGen | #RelianceFoundation | @Wolves pic.twitter.com/yt4v4PBck6
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) May 20, 2023
Fraser was then denied by the woodwork moments later, but couldn’t be halted on the seven-minute mark when Keto-Diyawa turned provider to cross onto the head of the striker who nodded home after making contact in the area.
Wolves were looking in the mood for goals and went close again, this time through Mabete whose towering header was superbly tipped over the top by the goalkeeper.
Ty Barnett saw a shot parried with no takers for the follow-up, before Fraser headed wide from Owen Farmer’s cross as the youngsters were made to settle for two at the interval.
Half-time | Wolves 2-0 RF Young Champs
Collins made a double change at half-time, as Oliver Tipton and Harry Birtwistle replaced Harvey Griffiths and Farmer.
A third goal looked likely as Wolves threatened again early into the second period, as Fraser’s header was tipped wide by Mohol who was kept busy throughout.
Scicluna’s eyes then lit up when he was afforded space to run into from midfield, but his eventual low strike fizzed just past the left-hand post.
There was a golden opportunity to add to the tally on 54 minutes when Barnett was tripped just inside the area and the referee pointed to the spot. Often so reliable from 12 yards, Tipton stepped up and went for the bottom right corner, but Mohol dived the same way and was able to thwart the skipper.
Collins ensured both goalkeepers were given minutes in Mumbai, as 17-year-old Amos replaced Joe Young in between the sticks with 14 minutes remaining.
And despite going close to a third on several occasions, the score line remained at two as Wolves comfortably maintained their 100% record in the tournament.
Full-time | Wolves 2-0 RF Young Champs
COMING UP
Wolves play their final group game on Tuesday 23rd May, as they go head-to-head with Sudeva Delhi FC at 8pm (3:30pm UK time).
TEAMS
Wolves | Young (Amos 56), Kaleta, Keto-Diyawa, Griffiths (Tipton 36), Mabete (Hubner 44), Kandola, Esen, Scicluna, Fraser (Roberts 64), Barnett, Farmer (Birtwistle 36).
RF Young Champs | Mohol, Nazereth, Singh, Rodrigues, Mistry, Khangembam, Kamath, Kamath, Palande, Murgod, Mohammed.
