VASCO: Maharashtra demolished Gujarat 6-2 in the West Zone Qualifiers of the 70th Senior National Football championship for the Santosh Trophy, at Tilak Maidan, here, on Wednesday. In the first half, Maharashtra led 5-0.
Gujarat team with Abhishek Tripathi and Brajesh Yadav held the defence line intact for the first 20 minutes of play with some good saves by Shubam Chauhan and Maharashtra had a hard time to get through the backline.
Maharashtra finally broke the deadlock in the 21st minute with a goal by Raynier Fernandes.
No sooner Gujarat recovered to counter-attack, Maharashtra pumped in another quick goal in the 22nd minute with Mervin Stephen getting the better of the Gujarat goalkeeper.
Gujarat tried to regroup but Maharashtra was too strong with striker Abhishek Ambekar scoring the third goal in the 39th minute.
Mohd Shahabaz Pathan added the fourth in the injury time of the first session and Abhishek Ambekar got his brace and Maharashtra’s fifth goal at the end of the first half.
Gujarat entered the second half as a more determined side and kept Maharashtra strikers at bay. Gujarat pulled one goal back with Aamir Khan Pathan finding the back of the net in the 66th minute.
Mohd Shahabaz Pathan widened the gap for Maharashtra to take a 6-1 lead with a fine goal in the 76th minute.
Mandeep Singh Barad got a consolation goal for Gujarat in the 78th minute.
