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 Chakraborty’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 Nabi’s perfect header completely beat the Youngmen goalkeeper. The Jamshedpur-based academy rounded off the tally in the 68th minute after Avinash Thapa’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 Dorji’s powerful angular right-footer swerved into the net to the utter disbelief of the Nationals custodian.

But the euphoria didn’t last long as the local league champions scored the equaliser in the 75th minute through Yaqub, who headed home following a corner.

Tomorrow’s match: State Bank of Travancore vs Tata Football Academy (3pm)