Maharashtra miss last-four berth
Bambolim: Mizoram defeated Railways 5-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the national championship for the Santosh Trophy here on Tuesday.
The first half was cagey with both teams measuring each other’s strengths.
Mizoram playing a 4-2-3-1 formation looked the more compact of the two sides.
After the initial cross-fire Mizoram took the lead through Lalchhuanawma Vanchhawng, who cut in from the right measured his shot and took a curling ground shot that went past the outreaching hands of the Railways goalkeeper Owais Khan. However three minutes before the break, Railways were back on level terms when Jitendra Pal, who was left completely unmarked on the left flank, put in delightful cross which was headed in by Goutum Kujur.
The second half though belonged entirely to Mizoram and just fifteen minutes after the break the rout started. F. Lalrinpuia and Sangbera combining well to create space allowing Lalrinpuia to fire home from close range. Mizoram made it 3-1 in the 71st minute when Lalrinpuia on this occasion provided a defence-splitting pass to Lalrinchhana who rounded off the keeper and scored. Seven minutes later Mizoram made it 4-1 through a spot kick with Lalsangbera converting the penalty. The rout was completed in the 82nd minute when after Lalrimpuia scored his second of the game.
The win enabled Mizoram to qualify for the last-four stage in second place from Group B behind Kerala. Last year’s runners-up Maharashtra scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Kerala but failed to qualify for the semifinals of the Santosh Trophy since they finished third in Group B, here today.
Maharashtra scored through Vaibhav Shirley (34th) and Shrikant Veeramallu (59th) to finish third with six points.
They needed not only a win but also required Mizoram to draw against Railways but Mizoram spanked Railways 5-1 to finish second with seven points. Mizoram had same point as Kerala but were placed second since they had lost to them 1-0. (Agencies)
Top two teams made it to the semifinal stage.
Mizoram will meet West Bengal while Goa will clash with Kerala in the semifinals on Thursday.
Kerala rested three of their key players did not look thrustful today in their attack, allowing the rivals to do most of the attacking who need a victory to stay afloat in their tournament.
Kerala who held their forte intact relied on quick counter moves and had the first chance to surge ahead in the 19th minute when Muhammed Parakkottil sent a high cross inside the box from the left but Usman P headed over after rival keeper Aditya Mishra left his charge to punch the aerial ball but failed.
Maharashstra, who did bulk of the attacking, had the best chance to equalise in the 32th minute but Shrikant Veeramellu’s feeble shot from close was collected by rival keeper off a pass from Aaron Dcosta.
After this close shave, Kerala citadel finally fell two minutes later. Hardworking Aaron Dcosta worked his way on the right and sent a measured cross into the box for Vaibhav Shirley who headed in. (Agencies)