Immaculate shunt out CR

NAGPUR, Aug 2: It was their overconfidence that caused Central Railway's downfall against a low-profile Gujarat outfit Immaculate Club in...

NAGPUR, Aug 2: It was their overconfidence that caused Central Railway’s downfall against a low-profile Gujarat outfit Immaculate Club in the Kalyani Black Label Federation Cup West Zone Football Tournament here at Yeshwant Stadium today.

Blessed with more experience and expertise, Railway fell prey to a slight change in the Immaculate gameplan in the second half and conceded an all important goal in the 83rd minute.

As the match progressed, Immaculate’s aggression scaled new heights. Railway took their time to settle down, but it was too late for them. Immaculate had already outsmarted them, though their effort did not yield a goal in the first half.

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Gujarat striker Amit Mandal, who won the Baidyanath Man-of-the-match award, was instrumental in engineering Immaculate win today. Khalid Bashir, Raju Mandal and Mohd Safi also won praise when they penetrated Railway defence a number of times. Mid-fielder Loay Kamal also had a major role to play in Gujarat’s win. All of the above players combined well inlaying a trap that involved playing with one striker only and inviting Railway to Gujarat’s citadel.

Railway failed to comprehend this change and exhausted their energy playing in the Gujarat area without trying to break the defense.

Amit Mandal’s brilliant move in the 83rd minute saw Railway substitute Chiraq Sharkh engage in a rough play and get an yellow card. That also produced a free-kick and the winning goal.

Amit Mandal took the free-kick from the right corner and Raju Mandal headed the ball straight into the net dodging the helpless Railway custodian Raghuwir Kanolkar.

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In a post match press meet, Immaculate coach Alfred Joachum said, "a changed gameplan helped us win today. I am very happy that we have beaten one of the best teams."

The Central Railway coach, I Vaz was a depressed man today. "We missed a lot of chances. It was very sad."

Kochi win

KANNUR: Coca Cola FC Kochi prevailed over State Bank of India, Travancore (SBT) with a 2-0 victory in the final of the South Zonequalifying round at the Municipal Jawahar Stadium here today.

Both the goals came in the first session through Abu Jumo (23rd) and Najeeb (34th).

IAF rout HSEB

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CHANDIGARH: Indian Air Force (Delhi) beat Haryana State Electricity Board (HSEB) 4-1 in a one-sided opening match in North Zone here today.

The Air Force strikers MP Dinachandran, Jayanta Das, SK Hossen and Rajashekharan shared a goal each, while HSEB skipper Sanjay Sharma contributed the lone goal.