AIFF Media Team

RUDRAPUR: Bhawanipore FC and Goal Hunterz FC booked their places in the final of the AIFF Futsal Club Championship 2024–25 with contrasting semi-final victories at the Shri Manoj Sarkar Stadium – Shivalik Hall on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

Bhawanipore cruised past TOFA 7–0, with Jayesh Sutar grabbing a hat-trick, while Goal Hunterz knocked out defending champions Corbett FC 5–3 in a thriller that swung back and forth before being settled in the final minutes. For Goal Hunterz, Manav Sharma emerged as the hero by netting a brace.

Sharma brace earns a spot in the final for Goal Hunterz

Goal Hunterz FC 5 (Anmol Adhikari, 16, Manav Sharma, 19, 24, Bijoy Gusai, 40, Lalmuansanga Sailung, 29)
beat
Corbett FC 3 (Malsawmtluanga Pautu, 5, Rony C Lalenkima, 17, PC Lalremruata, 27)

The first semi-final set the tone for the day – intense, fast-paced, and unpredictable. Corbett FC, on a high after recovering from a rough start to the tournament, looked determined to defend their crown and started brightly.

They carved out the first big chance in the fifth minute when Pratik Swami’s thunderbolt rattled the bar. Goal Hunterz failed to regroup, and moments later, Malsawmtluanga Pautu’s long-range strike whistled past goalkeeper Aleef Rahaman Mollah to give Corbett a 1–0 lead.

Goal Hunterz, who had been free-scoring in the group stages, gradually grew into the game. Their equaliser came in the 16th minute through Anmol Adhikari, whose blistering effort proved too hot for goalkeeper Vishal Dube to handle. The relief was short-lived though, as Corbett restored their advantage within a minute – Rony C Lalenkima calmly finishing after being picked out by a clever through ball.

But cometh the moment, cometh Manav Sharma. The Goal Hunterz playmaker stepped up in the 19th minute with a thunderous free-kick that brought his side level once again. In the second half, Sharma struck again. Four minutes after the restart, Ansh Gupta cut through the defence with a sharp pass that found Sharma unmarked, and he made no mistake with a simple tap-in.

At 3–2, the momentum swung towards Goal Hunterz, but Corbett showed their championship grit. In the 27th minute, a rehearsed free-kick routine saw Swami lay the ball off for PC Lalremruata, whose strike bulged the net to make it 3–3.

Just as Corbett looked to be reasserting themselves, disaster struck. In the 29th minute, Lalmuansanga Sailung turned the ball into his own net while trying to intercept a cross. The own goal drained Corbett’s energy, and despite their efforts, they never fully recovered.

The killer blow came in the final minute. Tournament talisman Bijoy Gusai, already on 13 goals, broke away on the counter and slotted in his 14th of the season to seal a 5–3 win. Goal Hunterz celebrated wildly, having dethroned the champions to reach the final.

Bhawanipore outclass TOFA

Bhawanipore 7 (Jayesh Sutar, 2, 11, 37, David Laltlansanga, 4, 15, Laltluangzela, 27, Nikhil Mali, 34)
beat
TOFA 0

If the first semi-final was a rollercoaster, the second was sheer domination. Bhawanipore FC, one of the most consistent teams of the tournament, produced a masterclass in attacking futsal to sweep TOFA aside 7–0.

The rout started as early as the second minute. Laltluangzela broke down the right and squared for Jayesh Sutar, who calmly slotted home from the edge of the box. Two minutes later, the Kolkata outfit doubled their lead when David Laltlansanga pounced on a rebound after Judson J had parried a powerful shot.

Bhawanipore were relentless, controlling possession with slick passing and constant movement. In the 11th minute, Sutar grabbed his second, finishing off a clever layoff from Laltlansanga. Four minutes later, the roles were reversed – Sutar set up Laltlansanga for his brace, making it 4–0 by half-time.

TOFA, who had impressed in the group stages, simply couldn’t cope with Bhawanipore’s pace and sharpness. Their attempts to press high left them vulnerable at the back, and the punishment continued after the restart.

In the 27th minute, Laltluangzela finally got on the scoresheet, seizing on a loose ball outside the box and slotting it past a helpless goalkeeper. Seven minutes later, the tournament’s top scorer Nikhil Mali joined the party with a spectacular long-range strike from inside his own half – a moment of brilliance that underlined Bhawanipore’s confidence.

Sutar completed his hat-trick in the 37th minute with a lobbed strike that floated over the goalkeeper, capping a perfect night for Bhawanipore.