Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
VASCO: Gujarat defeated Madhya Pradesh 2-1 in the West Zone Qualifiers of the 70th Senior National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy held at Tilak Maidan, here, on Wednesday.
The match witnessed two expulsions with red card for Madhya Pradesh players Aakash Ahir (73’) and Ajay Kujur (90’) and number of yellow card bookings — Shubhank Mannewar (Madhya Pradesh) and Gujarat players Abhishek Tripathi, Pathan Parvez, Irfan Abbas and Aamirkhan Pathan.
Gujarat were leading 1-0 at half time.
In the first half, both the teams dominated the proceedings. Gujarat squandered an early chance in the very third minute and in the sixth minute as Irfan Abbasi missed the target after receiving through passes from Aamirkhan on both the occasion.
Madhya Pradesh made an effort in the 10th minute when Baldir Tigga floated a ball to Om Prakash inside the rival box but Abhisek Pathan tackled the former’s move and cleared the ball to safety.
Irfan could have scored in the 30th minute but his shot kissed the upright of Madhya Pradesh and went out of play, beautifully connected by Shivam Mishra.
This time Irfan didn’t make any mistake to give Gujarat lead in the 37th minute with his left footer to chip the ball into the Madhya Pradesh net.
Post resumption, Gujarat doubled the score off a penalty kick converted by Irfan in the 74th minute. Akshay Mall of Gujarat was brought down by Aakash Ahir of Madhya Pradesh in their danger zone. Referee R.C Vijay spotted the dreaded spot and flashed red card to Aakash. Madhya Pradesh reduced the margin through substitute Balram Ujwal in the 91st minute.
Madhya Pradesh head coach M. Daniel was also sent off the bench by referee for bad mouth in the last quarter of the match.
