AGENCIES
DABOLIM: BITS Pilani defeated Benfica Youth Club 3-2 in GFA Second Division match at TB Cunha sports complex, Cansaulim, Sunday.
Vikas Bhatt’s hat-trick with goals coming in from both the halves demote Benfica to 3rd division league.
Benfica YC playing their last match of the league were in the must win situation inorder to keep their hopes of surviving the relegation alive and started the match with the front foot.
BITS Pilani stood tall at defence foiling every moves created by Welington Fernandes who came was denied by the woodwork before Vikas Bhatt taking the lead for bits in the 26th minute of a run of play and scoring easily past the rival keeper.
While Benfica enjoying the game with better football and good ball possession luck favoured their opponents when Vikas Bhatt doubled the lead for BITS in the 34th minute of an second counter attack of the match.
Savio Fernandes soon pulled one back for Benfica in the 35th minute. It wasn’t just Benfica’s day as Pango’s free-kick hit the cross bar in the extra time of the first half.
Crossing sides in the second half Benfica coach brought in Elvis to add on to the attack but bits defended really well to frustrate the star streaked Benfica side.
It was further misery for Benfica when they were hunting for the equaliser the third attack of BITS Pilani was also converted by Vikas Bhatt completing his hat-trick in 74th minute with his blistering run from the right flank from his own half, dribbled the defender and the Gk and coolly completed his hat-trick.
Three attacks and three goals for BITS Pilani and it was all over for Benfica who could only break the bits defence in the additional time of second half when Welington Fernandes coolly finished with a simple tap of a free-kick.
Benfica YC are relegated after enjoying second tier football for more than a decade.
