APL 8.0 Day 2 Roundup

The futures of multiple teams became more clear on an action-packed Day 2 of APL 8.0 that saw almost twice as many goals as the day before despite a rain delay. 

Play was suspended on two occasions on Day 2 due to inclement weather, with multiple games being shifted to Day 3. However, the conditions proved not to be an impediment to football that was at times high quality but always high octane. 

Group A will be decided on the basis of the match between Patiala House and Magic Moments that is scheduled for tomorrow. Defending champions Patiala House sit at the bottom of the group following a 1-0 defeat to Shin City, Angad Kanwar settling the match with a beautiful curler. Shin City also closed the day with a 0-0 against Waterfall FC, who currently sit in third with three goalless draws. However, Shin City’s day began with a surprise 1-0 defeat against Magic Moments, who currently top the group with a draw and a win, courtesy of Mohamed Hashi’s header. The clash between Patiala House and Magic Moments is the only fixture remaining in the group, with every Group A team's fate for progressing to the knockouts resting on it. 

Group B is delicately poised, with just a point separating the top three teams. Chai 424 are all but out after defeats to 0-100 and Suii Squad, the latter of whom bounced back from defeat against HR26 on Day 1 courtesy of a deflected Krish Jain strike. 0-100 and HR26 are both a point ahead on four, with 0-100 comprehensively beating Chai 424 2-0, thanks to an own goal and a sweet strike from badminton ace Shaan Kejriwal. All four sides have a game left to play on Day 3. 

Fast Break FC are all but out in Group C after an Arnav Haldia header consigned them to a 1-0 defeat against Brocode. Kings’ Concubines’ currently sit in third place with two goalless draws after going up against Brocode, who bounced back from their Day 1 defeat to sit level on points with Kai Mantos at the top of the group. However, Kai Mantos have their final fixture against Concubines, the final of the group, in hand. Kings' critically need at least a draw to remain in contention in the tourney, having picked up a yellow in their 2nd game - that would eliminate them in case of a loss.

Group D is wrapped up, with Real Babble’s 1-0 win over A2Z after another brilliant Dawood finish, taking them top of the group. Ubermensch United played out stalemates against A2Z and Nox.Billis to take second place on goals scored, while the Billis will face the battle of the thirds after three goalless draws. Defeat at Babble’s hands spelt the end of A2Z’s tournament despite fighting hard against Ubermensch. 

Group E came to a stunning conclusion, as Aryamaan Girish’s sliding finish powered the injury-riddled Pineapple FC to a shock 1-0 victory over Dosai Dominators. Wu Shang FC finished top after an impressive performance against Mars FC, with Tanishk Ginoria chipping in for the score. Dosai themselves seemed certain of second place after a Viraat brace had given them a 2-0 win over Mars, but Girish proved decisive in taking Pineapple to second instead and consigning Dosai to third. Despite a strong effort, Mars FC fell to two defeats in two games and ended their run this APL.

Group F is the group with the most at stake on Day 3, where any number of outcomes are possible. Dolla Sign will go through despite a mixed day where they fell to a 1-0 defeat against Sharpshooters to an Ahmad goal, but bounced back by beating Fuel Zone with a set-piece goal from talisman Aman Antil, which escaped beneath all Fuel Zone defenders. Elephant look well poised to join them after a 0-0 draw against Lovsy, whose tournament progression hangs in balance after being held to three draws by Fuel Zone, Elephant, and Sharpshooters. Sharpshooters are currently in third after their win against Dolla Sign and draw against Lovsy, while Fuel Zone appears to be close to elimination with just two points from three games. Elephant and Fuel Zone will go up against each other tomorrow with plenty at stake, with a victory handing Elephant group topping honours, and a draw (& no cards) being enough for FZ Warriors to stay alive via a ticket to the Battle of Thirds.

Full list of results from APL 8.0 Day 2

Real Babble 1-0 A2Z

Ubermensch 0-0 Nox Billi

Sharpshooters 0-0 Lovsy FC

Dosai Dominators 2-0 Mars FCShin City 0-1 Magic Moments

Suiii Squad 1-0 Chai 424

Nox Billi 0-0 Real Babble 

Sharpshooters 1-0 Dolla Sign

Lovsy 1-1 Fuel Zone 

Mars FC 0-1 Wu Shang

Shin City 1-0 Patiala House 

Dosai Dominators 0-1 Pineapple FC

0-100 2-0 Chai 424

Ubermensch 0-0 A2Z 

Kings’ Concubines 0-0 Brocode

Lovsy FC 0-0 Elephant FC

Fuel Zone 0-1 Dolla Sign

Brocode 1-0 Fast Break

Shin City 0-0 Waterfall