New Delhi: Irtiglal High School boys from Afghanistan defeated Bijang Loubuk Junior High School (Manipur) 2-1, while Chawngfianga Middle School (Mizoram) posted an emphatic 3-1 triumph over Jatragachi Pranabanand High School (West Bengal) to enter the Sub-Junior (Under-14) Boys final in the 56th Subroto Cup Football Tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium here today.

The final between the two sides will be played on Thursday, September 24.

The two semifinals were played in contrasting styles as the results speak volumes of the approach the teams had made.

The first semifinals saw the Mizoram boys going all out right from the start with clever passing and making important moves to count. On the other hand, the West Bengal school boys were not only error-prone but were unable to pierce the defence of Mizoram.

Yet, it was the Jatragachi boys who opened the account through Deepankar Ghosh in the 22nd minute. But soon after they went into shell and indulged in wasting time while the Mizo boys, stung by the goal, made several raids. When Chunga received the ball from the right, he slotted it to find the equalizer in the 29th minute.

Unlike their opponents, Chawngfianga boys entered the rival box many a time with full thrusts and in the 36th minute Haita Jangle’s goal-bearing move was thwarted when West Bengal goalkeeper tripped him. Referee blew for the spot and he converted the penalty without a mistake. To compound the misery for West Bengal, Moris Lal Rinzuala fired in a powerful shot past the goalie during the close in injury time to seal their fate.

As for Afghanistan, the Irtiglal boys were slow to start off the block as their safety-first method did not take them anywhere. In fact, Manipur boys were more aggressive and making continues forays into the rival citadel, though unable to find the net. However, Mangmin Thang was precise with his shot in the 17 th minute to put Bijang Loubuk High School in the lead.

They could not, however, sustain the pace of Afghan boys who picked up momentum after conceding the lead and equalized through Farshad just before the interval. On resumption, the matter went from bad to worse as teams were content passing the ball rather than making any worthwhile moves. Nevertheless, Shabir as if waiting for an opportunity, got a neat pass from left which he trapped and shot home the winner in the 45th minute. The remaining time was spent fortifying their goal which the Afghans succeeded despite the best of efforts from Manipur. 

DAV, Sanskriti triumph 

In the morning, in Under-17 Junior Girls affair, DAV Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh, routed Phoenix Residential Public School from Karnataka 16-0 while in all-Delhi school meeting, Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri, downed Palam outfit, P.R. Joshi School 3-0.

The Sector 8 school girls did not have to toil on a gloomy day as they were amply aided by the Belgaum girls who didn’t have any clue to keep their rivals at bay. So much so, the Chandigarh girls went on a rampage which started in the very third minute of the match when Anju struck to open the floodgates. The striker from Chandigarh scored as many as nine while teammate Poonam slotted in four times. Poonam, Mamta and Nisha contributed a goal each to take the tally to 16.

On the other hand, Sanskriti School raised the tempo not until the second session and it was good enough for them to emerge clear winners. In fact, both the teams did not show any urge to open the account and played a very docile game. Aimless passing and awkward trapping only added to the cumbersome football.

But the scenario changed after interval with Maamara J. Wadhwa taking the initiative with a right-footer in the 38th minute. Ten minutes later she struck again and Moznon Tak completed the task with a goal in the 51st minute.

In another match, Telangana State Sports School, Secunderabad, beat Our Lady of Rosary High School from Goa 3-0 with Sreesha scoring in the 18th and 30th minute while teammate B. Roja contributing in the 36th minute. 

Today’s Results 

Tuesday’s fixtures: 22nd September

New Wellingdon Camp –

6.30 am under 17 girls- IPSC vs Manipur

7.45 am under 17 girls Gujarat vs Nagaland

Ambedkar Stadium –

3.15 eve Telangana Vs Assam

4.30 Tripura vs Afghanistan