THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
MARGAO, MAY 4
Kerala, West Bengal, Assam qualified for the quarter-final leagues of 18th Under-21 National Football Championship for Dutta Ray Trophy here on Monday.
In a Cluster VI match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda , Chandigarh came from behind to hold Kerala to a 1-1 draw. Chandigarh were trailing 0-1 at half time.
Both Kerala and Chandigarh in an attempt to the gauge each other�s strength started off on a cautious note. With both teams content in playing the waiting game, there was more midfield action. As a result, there were few attempts at either goal especially in the first half.
After couple of attempts at Chandigarh goal, Kerala finally surged ahead in the 25th minute when striker Midhun Wilwet�s try was fisted awkwardly away by Chandigarh goalkeeper Jasbeer Mohammed and Merbin managed to pounce on the opportunity.
Thereafter, Kerala made a couple of half hearted attempts at the Chandigarh citadel but yielded no success.
Kerala put up a better display on resumption and made umpteen attempts but their forwards Merbin, Swaraj and Muneer failed to beat the rival goalkeeper.
With the clock ticking and Kerala seemingly assured of a win, Chandigarh came up with a last ditch effort and found success in the 79th minute when Nikhil Prashar�s well executed free-kick hit the post and entered in.
Earlier, in the first half, Chandigarh defender Majid Hassan suffered an injury as he had a collision with a Kerala defender and to be taken to hospital for treatment.
Both the teams tied on the same number of points. However, Kerala made it to the quarter-final on better goal average.
In a Cluster VIII match at Raia panchayat ground, West Bengal and Karnataka were involved in a goalless draw. West Bengal qualified for the quarter-final grade as they enjoyed a superior goal average.
In a Cluster IV tie at Curtorim, Delhi rallied to hold Assam to a 1-1 draw. Tridip Hazirika gave Assam a bright start as his swerving shot beat the Delhi goalkeeper.The equalizer for Delhi came in the 83rd minute through Anikit Shrivasta.
In an inconquestial match, in Cluster III, last year�s runners-up Tamil Nadu drubbed Jharkhand 3-0. S Vivek, Bala Murugukan and S Sandosh Kumar scored.
In a Cluster IV encounter, Madhya Pradesh and Chattisgarh were involved in a 2-2 draw. Praveen Sharma.Vijeyandra Kumar were the scorers for Chatttisgarh while Vinod Mourya struck twice for MP.
In a Cluster V match at Corps of Signals ground, Navelim, Pondicherry blanked Himachal Pradesh 3-1 after leading 2-1 at half time. Karunanthi, Sanjay Kumar and Nagarajan netted for Pondicherry while Roahan Varda reduced the margin for Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile in the quarter-final league Goa has been clubbed alongwith Assam, Mizoram and West Bengal in Group I. Haryana, Punjab, Meghalya and Kerala are in Group II. All matches will be played at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda.
Defending champions Goa will take on Assam on May 6 at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda at 4.15 pm. On the same day, Mizoram face West Bengal at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda at 7.30 a.m
