New Delhi: Reliance FYC, making their maiden entry, made an impressive and effective start with a 3-1 verdict over Manipur’s Pinjabati High School from Moirangin Pool A league game of the Sub-Junior (u-14) Boys section in the 57th edition of the Subroto Cup International Football Tournament at the Dr. Ambedkar Stadium here today.
The Manipur boys who did well in the lung opener yesterday not only struggled to stop the surge of a newcomer to the tournament but also failed to make any worthwhile inroads.
Naturally it reflected in the score line as Reliance FYC opened their account with a goal in the ninth minute of the match soon it was the turn of Deepak to add one more to the tally. Seizing another great opportunity, the captain struck yet again in the 22nd minute.
After breather, the Manipur boys took things lightly and paid for it when Thoi, finding a gap in defense, fired in their lone gone in the 36th minute.
In a morning match at the same venue, the team from Afghanistan pounded the hapless Sri Lankan school team from Colombo 22 times without a reply from their opponents. In a way, the Afghan school boys, muscular, fit and quick on their feet sounded a huge warning to other teams in Pool D.
Mohammad Asgar, Ahmed Rasheed and Mustafa shared the bulk of scoring for the Afghanistan outfit in what turned out to be a woefully one-sided affair. But what was surprising about the match was the way Sri Lankan schoolboys stood their ground, trying to guard their citadel than making an effort to cross the half-line for a jibe.
At the New Wellington Camp grounds, school boys from Maharashtra defeated Lakshadweep 2-0 (Jaden Irani and Y. Sharma scored) in Pool A, Jharkhand beat Kerala 2-0 (ChutturKisku and Chandan Mardi struck) in Pool C and the outfit from Chhattisgarh scored a facile 1-0 (SadulMalla) win over AFBBS in Pool D. In a Poll B match played at the same venue, Bangladesh and Goa teams drew goalless.
However, in another Pool B match West Bengal and Sikkim teams shared points at the Ambedkar Stadium after their game ended in a 1-1 draw.