MP, Maharashtra lock horns for group winner on Monday
TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
DABOLIM: A dramatic and scrappy equalizer by substitute Prati Kanojia gave Madhya Pradesh a share of the points in a 2-2 draw against Gujarat at West Zone Santosh trophy Group A qualifier match at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Saturday.
Madhya Pradesh had the first look at goal in the 3rd minute when Javed Nirwan fed Nokul Singh a through ball, who calmly slotted into the net.
Madhya Pradesh went ahead to expand their lead but quick counterattacks by Gujarat saw Madhya Pradesh retreat back. Gujarat ultimately found the equaliser in the 25th minute when MP goalkeeper Ajay Kumar slumped the ball off Rathwa Selva’s cross with Zala Mayursinh being first to react with a simple tap in to make it 1-1.
The momentum saw pressure building on Madhya Pradesh defence and finally Gujarat were gifted with a penalty in the 45th minute when Abbasi Irfan was pulled by the Karmag Bhutia in the penalty area. Pun Yuvraj stepped over and steadily finished, sending Ajay Kujur in the wrong direction making it 2-1 at the half time.
The break saw Madhya Pradesh coach making two attacking changes by introducing Prati Kanojia and Zubher Ahmed with Karmag and Surya.
The second half was totally nerve wrecking as both teams continued the play from where they had left. But soon Madhya Pradesh found themselves in the better position of the field with Zuber, Prati and Nokul testing the rival keeper at many occasions.
In the 68th minute, Prati found the back of the net off Nokul Singh’s pass making amends for his earlier misses with a low shot past the keeper.
With the draw, Gujarat became the first team to bow out, with Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra locking horns on February 3, for the decider of the group winner.
