New Delhi: MSP Higher Secondary from Kerala became the first team to enter the under-17 boys final of the 55th Subroto Cup football tournament after beating BSL High School, Jharkhand 5-4 via penalty shootout here on Monday.
Understandably, both the teams played cautiously without taking any goal-bearing initiatives, much to the chagrin of their own benches and the spectators. From the outset it was evident that the two teams would adopt a defence-first approach and look for scoring opportunity, only if it were to come their way.
That, in a nut shell, described the boredom throughout the regulation period. With the time having to be resolved, penalty was forced on the teams and in which the Kerala school boys came out victorious.
For Kerala, Abhijith E.Mm, Sunil Solaman, Sohail. T, Arun Suresh and Gani Ahammed scored, neatly converting from the spot while Seilen Mang Sitlhou, Nitish Hazara, Abhishek Haider and Karan Rai found the target for Jharkhand. However, Yamnam Ankesh missed, sending the ball over.
Meanwhile, NCC (Nepal) and Ragunan Sports School from Indonesia sailed into the quarterfinals from group E and F, respectively. They will be meeting each other in the third quarterfinals, to be played on Oct 15, at the same venue.
Tomorrow’s winner between W Bengal and Brazil will face Nepal for the fourth quarter finals on Oct 16.
Results: D.A.V. Sr. Sec. School, Chandigarh 0 drew Govt. Sr Sec School, Lakshadweep 0. Group E. NWC Ground; Hmar Veng High School, Mizoram 3 drew Lok Smriti High School, Nepal 3; Group G. Ambedkar Stadium. Scorer for Mizoram (R.Lalthapuia- 21; Vanlalakhawlhring 60-; Benjamin-62) Scorer for Nepal (Manish-13; Abhishek-42; Prezen- 53; NCC (NER) 10 beat Kreeda Prabodhini High School, Maharashtra 0. Group E. NWC Ground. (PTI)
