New Delhi: Army Boys, Danapur, Bihar and OM Roy HS, Meghalaya advanced to the semifinals in the U-17 Boys’ category of the 54th Subroto Cup by defeating NCC (West Bengal & Sikkim) and BSL, Jhakhand in their respective quarterfinals at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Tuesday.
While Army Boys, Bihar outplayed NCC (West Bengal & Sikkim) 1-0 thanks to a first half strike by Saroj Rai, Meghalaya went through courtesy a couple of late goals by Mebanshan Suting.
Army Boys, Bihar and Meghalaya will face each other in the semifinals on October 12.
The match between Army Boys & NCC was a one-sided affair with the former enjoying the upper hand. NCC played better in the second half and did create a few chances but were let down by poor finishing. They almost equalized 10 minutes from the end but Bijoy Jirel hit the upright from close range.
The second quarterfinal of the day was witnessed a dour, defensive battle since both teams preferred to adopt a defensive approach. For most of the game, scoring chances were few and far between and those that did materialize, were successfully dealt with by both defences.
Meghalaya clinched the issue late in the second half as Suting took advantage of a tiring Jharkhand defence.
“It was a tough match since their players are extremely fit and they have a very strong defence,” Meghalaya coach said after the match. “I am happy, but also relieved. We have beaten a very strong team today.”
In another match, Oman suffered their second consecutive defeat as a much superior Goa registered an easy 2-1 win. The Goan team includes several members of the Indian U-17 squad.
In the girls’ section, skipper Dorothi hogged the limelight with four goals as Burguri High School, Assam thrashed Dona Paula HS of Goa 5-0. Dorothi have Assam a 2-0 lead within the first five minutes and Goa never recovered from then on. The other goal was scored by Assam striker Bashuabi.
Ahlcon Public School of Delhi survived some torrid times in the second period to hold a much superior IPSC girls to a goal less draw.
Tuesday’s Results:
(U-17 Boys unless mentioned)
Ambedkar Stadium: Ahlcon Public School, Delhi 0 drew IPSC 0 (Girls)
Burguri High School, Assam 5 (Dorothi 1st, 3rd, 23rd, 30th; Bashuabi 14th) defeated Dona Paula High School, Goa 0 (Girls)
Army Boys, Danapur, Bihar 1 (Saroj Rai 21st min) defeated NCC (WB & S) 0
OM Roy Memorial School, Meghalaya 2 (Mebanshan Suting 52nd, 64th) defeated BSL High School, Bokaro, Jharkhand 0
Race Course Road
Rev. Saiaithanga Memorial School, Mizoram 2 (Lalbiafiala 11th; Aimakhialvte 51st) defeated Bangladesh Krira Shikkha Parishad, Bangladesh 1 (Masooddin 20th)
Govt Senior Secondary School, Lakshadeep 4 (Moneer 11th, 30th; Foyas 15th, Anish 68th) defeated St Joseph School, MP 0
OLP High School Goa 2 (Evan Gama 27th; Subhash Perera 36th) vs Indian School, Oman 1 (Kaman Kanojia)
Govt Model School, Chandigarh 5 (Mobasir 2nd; Harpal 8th, 34th; Jatinder 20th; Indermohan 30th) defeated St Stanlisus School, Bihar 0