Haryana drub UP, J&K blank U’khand

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, January 9

AG Haryana today blanked AG Uttar Pradesh 2-0 in the North Zone IA&AD Football Tournament being played at the Sector 42 Sports Complex here.

AG Haryana started the game on a positive note but failed to break the deadlock in the first 45 minutes.

Haryana strikers made frequent intrusions into the Uttar Pradesh half but could not succeed. Uttar Pradesh got a golden opportunity to go ahead just before the half-time, but striker Atul failed to gather the ball in time.  After a dull first half, Haryana lads put their rivals under pressure with an early second half goal, former India international and defender Sanjeev Maria, who was promoted as centre half back, scoring in the 49th minute. The Haryana players went silent for the next 12 minutes as they missed a few more scoring opportunities. However, in the 61st minute, the newly recruited stopper back Nikhil Prashar doubled the lead with a brilliant header. The side maintained the lead for the remaining part of the match to ensure a place in the semifinals. 

AG Haryana will play Delhi Audit, which drubbed AG Delhi 5-0, for a place in the final. Delhi Audit was propelled to victory by Hitender Rawat, who scored in the 2nd, 4th and 5th minute of the match to complete a hat-trick.   Kulbhushan then scored in the 13th minute to make it 4-0 in favour of Delhi Audit, Saurav Patra completed the rout with a strike in the 20th minute.  In another match, AG Jammu and Kashmir humbled AG Uttarakhand 7-0. Khalid Qayoom drew the first blood in the 5th minute. Wasim Makdom doubled the lead three minutes later.  Makdom scored his second and team's fourth in the 38th minute after Amanjit Singh struck twice within seven minutes — 28th and 35th minutes. He then scored in the 55th minute to give his side a decisive 6-0 lead. Umar scored the last goal of the match in the 60th minute. AG Jammu and Kashmir will face defending champions and hosts AG Punjab in the semifinals on Tuesday.