JCT, Bagan qualify for Super Six

If it weren8217;t the festivities rampant in Goa at the moment that inspired Ancheri, it may well be the ambience in this, the Beach Country8217; that loves soccer. Ancheri, rumored to be moving to Goa next season, appeared not to have any intention of cutting short this stay here, ahead of the Super Six competition scheduled to commence on February 19.

He scored a stunner out of nothing in the 19th minute that had Dempo eliminated from the League even before the match, keeling over and surrendering in abject manner.

The former FC Kochin striker accepted Nigerian mid-fielder Adebayo Gbadabo8217;s pass, used his favourite left-foot to find the far corner of the net from 25 yards, leavinggoalkeeper Vikrant Sharma and the crowed bewildered. Ancheri ended the match as a contest at the stroke of half-time, tapping home Chima Okeria8217;s cross to make it 2-0 and virtually seal Bagan8217;s passage into the next round.

Bagan coach PK Bannerjee, lavish in praise for the gifted striker8217;s selfless play applauded in retrospect the third goal in the 64th minute.

Chima to Ancheri, who forfeited a chance for a hat-trick squared to Satyajit inside the box. The hard-working mid-fielder, back from injury, blasted high into the net to complete the rout in the 64th minute. The resounding win enabled the defending champions to top Group A8217; pipping JCT Phagwara on goal difference after the Punjab millmen were held 1-1 by Tollygunge Agragami in Calcutta. Churchill Brothers, Goa squeezed into the Super Six at third position despite a shock 0-1 defeat to cellar team Air-India in Mumbai.CALCUTTA: JCT drew with a determined Tollygunge Agragami 1-1 at the Rabindra Sarovar Stadium here today. The Phagwara outfitcapitalised on some shoddy marksmanship by the home team to escape with a draw and romp into the last six stage with 17 points after completing their first phase engagements, according to PTI.

The millmen shot into the lead in the 34th minute of the contest through the hard-working Surjit Singh, but Tollygunge neutralised the lead in the 16th minute of the second session with substitute Prodyut Roy finding the target.