PUNE, May 27: Hit by clubs playing truant and two cases of teams fielding fewer than eleven players, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the Kishorilal Memorial football tournament.Today was no different at the Ghorpuri Military ground. Kirkeeans, a Senior Division side, stayed away leaving the organisers, KP XI, in a lurch. The organisers had no option but to grant the oppostion, Cannon SC a walk-over into the second round.Meanwhile, the organisers rescheduled Youth Club's (Khadakwala) match against Old Boys Association for May 29. The organisers took a considerate view afterYouth Club could not turn out for the earlier fixture after a player passed away.In the only game today, substitute Manuel D'Souza scored the match winner as Youngsters pipped Chetak Sports Club 3-2.Chetak's lack of killer instinct let them down. The budding club did much in attack but were found wanting in front of goal.Their defenders, however, performed adeptly, clearing first time and showing fine understanding that had Youngsters on the back foot most of the time.Ironically, two mistakes cost Chetak dear and Youngster's Durand Engineer needed no prompting to punish his adversaries.The striker netted two superb goals - one in the very second minute and another in the 32nd minute.In the first instance Durand sent defender Chetan Chavan on the wrong foot and fired a right-footer into the net leaving 'keeper Shishir Kedlaya a mere spectator. His second essay was a perfect placement.The teams had hardly settled when Engineer struck with just two minutes gone. Eighteen minutes later Amit Navali levelled the score but Durand regained the lead for Youngsters three minutes from the breather.Youngsters, it appeared weren't done too much good by the interval. After the re-start their players showed signs of tiring.This enabled Chetak to equalise through Amit Navalli in the 41st minute of play. Then came a sequence of missed chances by Chetak forwards. At this stage, players lost their cool and much to everyone's surprise referee Moti John failed to flash cards giving the impression he didn't have any on him!Youngsters struck the match-winner through substitute Manuel D'Souza in the 58th minute.Today's fixtures: Telecom Colony vs Parshuramians 2.30 p.m; KP XI vs Cannon 3.30 p.m.
