Bengal assured of semi-final spot

Bengal now top the group with six points from two matches while both Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have three points from two matches. Andhra Pradesh are marginally superior on goal difference. Uttar Pradesh have lost both their matches in the group.

The initial half proceedings in the Bengal-Tamil Nadu match was listless and was played on a dull note without any serious attacks by either side.

On changing ends, both teams increased the pace of their attack and there were several goal-mouth incidents. In the 41st minute, Tamil Nadu’s left-out S. Nagalingam sent a crose to striker M. Manikandan who chested it straight to Bengal’s custodian Bikash Das. Bengal forged ahead in the 49th minute through striker Syed Rahim Nabi who dashed in to chest the ball past advancing custodian V.P. Satish Kumar following a cross from left flank by Swapan Das.

Five minute later the winners’ striker Nabi powerfully headed a corner by Arindam Haara but goalkeeper Satish Kumar dived to his left to make a good save. In the 72nd minute, Bengal’s left-back Bimal Sarkar overlapped and sent a diagonal pass which split Tamil Nadu’s defence and striker Syed Rahim Nabi dashed in to place the ball over advancing custodian Satish Kumar.

In the other match of the day, Andhra Pardesh got the better of Uttar Pradesh when they defeated them 3-1 to earn their first win. Both teams were tied goalless at half-time. Uttar Pradesh played their hearts out but their forwards let them down due to poor finishing. After the breather Andhra went all out and scored the first goal in 42nd minute through Maric Louis. In the 63rd minute B. Rama Krishna increased the lead to 2-0 and V. Arvind Kumar made it 3-0 in the 69th. For UP, Hom Chand Joshi reduced the margin.