Shahdara edge Goans out

NEW DELHI, July 29: Shahdara Football Club and Simla Youngs were the last two teams to make the Super League grade in the Delhi Soccer As...

NEW DELHI, July 29: Shahdara Football Club and Simla Youngs were the last two teams to make the Super League grade in the Delhi Soccer Association-SAIL Senior Division Football League Championship.

Shahdara defeated Delhi Police 1-0 in a group A clash at the Nehru Stadium with the all-important goal coming from the boot of Sameer Jung in the 36th minute.

Sahdara, who needed a win to edge Goan Sports out of the Super League competition, completed their league engagements by securing 16 points from 11 matches as against the Goan Sports Club8217;s 12. Delhi Police secured nine points from 11 matches.

At Ambedkar Stadium, Goan Sports Club failed to force a result against Simla Youngs as the teams drew goalless. The result hardly made any difference for Simla Youngs who, by virtue of 16 points from 11 matches, had already qualified for Super League. The Goan Sports8217; only chance of making the Super League was depended on Shahdara FC losing to Delhi Police. But that did not happen and the Goans had to bow out of the league.

It was a tale of missed chances for Goan Sports. Despite dominating the play throughout, they failed to capitalise on the scoring opportunites that came their way. In the 28th minute striker W. Kasar was guilty of missing a sitter when he had just the Simla Young goalkeeper R.S. Negi to beat.

The story was no different in the second half when Kasar shot wide in the 40th minute and ten minutes later N.R. Shiray missed a scoring opportunity.

Already sitting pretty, all that Simla Youngs needed was a draw and, lacking inspiration, they simply completed the formality to achieve that. For most time they struggled to restrict the Goan forwards who made several forays. Striker Nagender had a wonderful chance to put Simla Youngs up when he took the ball from right and beat the Goan defenders deftly as he entered the penalty box. But, instead of having a go at the target himself, Nagender preffered to cross to his left and the ball was well cleared by rushing defender.

Story continues below this ad

Earlier, Royal Rangers and Collegians played a goallless draw to share points. Royal Rangers gathered eight points from 11 matches and Collegians 11.

With the completion of the preliminary league matches today, six teams from each group have qualified for Super League.

Super League qualifiers
Group-A: City Club, New Delhi Heroes, Shastri, Mughals, Moonlight SC, Shahdara.
Group B: Hindustan FC, Indian Nationals, Youngmen SC, I.A.F. New Delhi, Simla Youngs, Hans FC.