City colts go down to Imphal FC

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 24

Imphal Football Club overcame Chandigarh Football Association 2-1 in the ongoing 15th Administrator’s Challenge U-17 Cup All India Football Tournament here today. 

Playing at the Sector 42 Sports Complex, hosts Chandigarh Football Association began on a positive note as Sehraj put the side ahead in the 5th minute of the match. 

Chandigarh half-back provided a long pass to right-winger Sunny, who dribbled past Imphal Club left full-back to find striker Sehraj on top of the penalty area with an accurate cross. 

Sehraj was up to the task as he beat Imphal Club custodian with a powerful volley. 

The celebrations, though, did not last long for the hosts as Imphal boys organised to level the score nine minutes later.

Naoba trapped a long pass well inside the opponents’ territory in the 14th minute before beating two of the stoppers with his speed and skill to put Imphal boys back on track.

With the scores leveled at 1-1, the visitors resorted to a more attacking game and surged past their rivals in the 24th minute.

Naoba once again was in the thick of action as he intercepted a lofted pass to find Santosh right on the Chandigarh penalty box. 

Santosh slotted the ball into the right corner of the net to make it 2-1 for the visitors. Imphal boys then maintained the possession to go into the break with a lead  

After the lemon break, hosts tried hard to make a comeback, but could not penetrate the Imphal defence.  

In the second match, Thou Academy, Manipur, bowed to Fatehgarh Club 3-0 at the Sector 7 Sports Complex. 

Unlike previous years, the Manipur team looked completely out of touch. Although the side started off well, it was Fatehgarh boys who took the lead in the 42nd minute of the match through Gurpinder Singh. 

After the break, Manipur boys pulled up their socks and made some strong moves to draw level, but their efforts were met with an equally good defence from Fatehgarh Club.  

Fatehgarh Club, meanwhile, doubled the lead in the 76th minute through Ravi. Six minutes later, the striker scored his second goal to help the side win the match 3-0. 

In another match, Dalbir Football Club blanked Haryana Football Club 2-0. 

Shampreet (5th) and Jashanjot (93rd) scored a goal each for Dalbir Club.

Baichung Bhutia Football School beat Jammu and Kashmir State Football Academy by a solitary goal in the last match of the day. Arun scored the winner for Bhutia School in the 22nd minute.