The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Tour concluded on a positive note. Bengaluru FC won all the matches, while FC Goa also registered their first win. Punjab FC lost in the shootout. Young players got important experience from this tour.
kurate [जापान]July 20 (ANI): The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) Japan Exposure Tour ended on a positive note with Bengaluru FC and FC Goa registering impressive wins on the final matchday on Sunday. At the same time, Punjab FC were dramatically deprived of victory after conceding a goal in stoppage-time. This exposure tour saw the youth teams of the top three teams of the RFDL season 2025-26 – Bengaluru FC, FC Goa and Punjab FC, play matches against some of the best youth teams of Japan from 11 to 20 June.
Bengaluru FC completes perfect tour with win in shootout
Bengaluru FC capped off a stellar tour as they held Avispa Fukuoka to a goalless draw and then won 4-3 in a penalty shootout. ‘The Blues’ showed defensive solidity throughout the contest and maintained composure during the spot-kicks, securing their third win in three matches and ending the exposure tour with a perfect record.
FC Goa ends with first win
FC Goa concluded their campaign with an impressive 3-1 win over Giravanz Kitakyushu. Malasawmatluanga gave ‘The Gores’ an early lead with a goal in the 10th minute, but Sojiro equalized soon after the start of the second half. Goa came back strongly, scoring in the second half with goals from Citroy Carvalho and Shaun Fernandes to seal their first win on the tour.
Punjab FC suffered a blow in the last minute, lost in the shootout
Punjab FC looked set to end the tour with another win after Singmayum Shami’s 38th-minute goal gave them the lead against Bayline Shimonoseki. However, Koyama Hanyu scored in the second minute of stoppage time to level the score at 1–1 and the match went to a penalty shootout. Despite another fighting display, Punjab lost 7–6 in the shootout.
The Japan Exposure Tour, organized by the Reliance Foundation as part of the RFDL Pathway, provided India’s leading Under-21 clubs with invaluable international experience against Japanese teams. Throughout the tour, teams were challenged by different playing styles, high-intensity competition and a professional football environment, providing players and staff with valuable learning opportunities on and off the field.
With Bengaluru FC completing a perfect tour, FC Goa finishing with a win after two defeats and Punjab FC delivering consistently competitive performances, this exposure tour marked another important milestone in bridging the gap between youth and senior football, as well as grooming India’s next generation of footballers for the global stage. (ANI)
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