Goan cocktail sends Punjab into a tizzy

Goa, last year’s runners-up, playing their first match in group-C were stunned by Punjab with a 16th minute goal through Sher Singh. The Goans, as coach Norbert Gonsalves later said, tooktime to adjust to the local conditions but once they got their rhythm, there was no stopping them. They were all over their opponents and finally produced the two goals in the dying minutes of the first half to ensure full points.

First it was the hardworking Coven Lawrence who scored off a fine corner kick by Alvito D’Cunha in the 42nd minute. Only a minute later Alvito scored a gem of a goal as he collected a loose ball in the midfield and in a solo run shot home to seal the fate of Punjab. The match was also marred by some ugly moments when referee Arjunan gave marching orders to Goa’s Alvito for using abusive language after he was brought down by a Punjab player. Alvito would now miss the crucial match against Karnataka on October 30 which would decide the semifinalist from the group.

With two losses, Punjab are out of the race for a semifinal berth. The second match of the day also saw underdogs Orissas hocking Tamil Nadu with a 19th minute goal by Saroj Kanta Patnaik following a goal-mouth melee.

But despite taking an early lead the young Orissa team, which had shown lot of promise in the preliminary stages, lost control as the experienced Tamil Nadu side took control of the proceedings.

Tamil Nadu raised their game and their moment of glory came when the hardworking K Kulothungan gave a measured pass to P Muthu who scored to draw parity in the 24th minute. Four minutes later Orissa defender Subendu Panda brought down Kulothugan in the penalty box and referee Ghayas-ul-Haque had no hesitation in pointing to the dreaded spot.