MARGAO: Striker Daniel Lalrampuia powered a sensational hat-trick as All India Football Federation under-19 team registered a 3-0 victory over Goa Velha Sports Club to enter the semi-finals of the pool B of the preliminary qualifying round of the 127th round of Durand Cup football tournament, at 3MTR ground, Navelim, Friday. There was no score at lemon break.
The visitors’ attack and midfield combination proved dangerous to the Goan opponents.
Prashanth K and Milan Basumatry came close scoring umpteen times in the opening sesions.
The AIFF colts dominated the match throughout with one touch football and could have scored couple of goals but Prashanth’s header was equally tipped away by Goa Velha goalkeeper Siddesh Morje.
Few minutes later, Prashanth again came close to score but he was late in meeting the defence splitting pass by Amey.
Milan Basumatary, who was the hero in the previous match had a couple of scoring opportunities to break the deadlock and once again his rasping shot kissed the crossbar much to the dismay of colts and retired at the break without scoring.
The second half started with the same promise by AIFF colts. The deadlock was broken in the 53rd minute when Prashanth was replaced by Kamalpreet Singh who changed the complexion with his fine darting runs found Daniel Lalrampuia who without wasting time unleashed a snap shot that brushed from the hands of Goa Velha goalkeeper Siddesh Morje’s hands and rolled into the net.
Spurred by the early success, AIFF colts tormented the rival defence with sporadic raids and striker Daniel Lalrampuia who was fulcrum in rival attacks struck twice in quick sessions to register his hat-trick.
Down by three goals, Goa Velha never really had a chance to come back into the game after the third blow.
The Goan team were forced to defend themselves came with occasional forays and had two clear chances to reduce the margin late in the second half but substitute Christopher Borges failed to beat the rival goalkeeper from clear positions.
In another match, a superb brace by Aniston Fernandes enabled Vasco Sports Club to guide his team to a 3-1 win over Garhwal Riffles to romp into the semi-final of Pool D, at 3MTR ground, Navelim. Vasco led 2-1 at the breather.
Vasco broke the deadlock in the ninth minute when hardworking Aniston unleashed a 40-yarder which gave no chance to Garhwal Riffles goalkeeper Sandeep Singh.
Six minutes later, Vasco doubled the lead as Jerose Olveira headed home off a well executed free-kick taken by Aniston.
Garhwal Riffles upped the ante and Anirban Roy beat the rival goalkeeper Francis Fernandes off a pass from Rajesh Singh in the 17th minute to make it 2-1.
The second session of the play was restricted to the midfield due to downpour.
Aniston secured victory when he beautifully picked up the ball from Quan Gomes and beat the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish, 3-1.
