TFA trounce Youngmen, enter knock-out stage

After a barren first half, the TFA boys regrouped themselves at the change of ends to pump in three goals against a hastily-arranged Youngmen, for whom only a draw would have carried them through to the play-offs.

TFA found the target in the 48th minute. Subhash Chakraborty8217;s cross from the left was intercepted by roving striker Syed Rahim Nabi. Nabi, a junior international, lobbed the ball to Malsum Thunga who gently tapped it home.

The winners consolidated the lead in the 62nd minute when Nabi8217;s perfect header completely beat the Youngmen goalkeeper. The Jamshedpur-based academy rounded off the tally in the 68th minute after Avinash Thapa8217;s powerful left-footer from top of the box nestled into the net.

Bhutan XI scored the first goal in the 36th minute, when they earned a free-kick about 15 yards from the rival box. Wangay Dorji8217;s powerful angular right-footer swerved into the net to the utter disbelief of the Nationals custodian.

But the euphoria didn8217;t last long as the local league champions scored the equaliser in the 75th minute through Yaqub, who headed home following a corner.

Tomorrow8217;s match: State Bank of Travancore vs Tata Football Academy 3pm