CHANDIGARH, SEPT 9 :Playing an inspiring game before the home crowd, Chandigarh Football Academy, a venture of the Chandigarh Administration, capitalised most of the chances which came their way to record a well-deserved 4-1 verdict against talented Mohun Bagan Sail Football Academy of Kolkata in the final of the sixth Administrator’s Challenge Cup All-India Football Tournament for Under-17 at the Sector 17 Football Stadium here today.
CF Academy’s scorers were Gagandeep Singh (22nd minute), Pankaj Negi (27th and 70th) and KC Lalchhuanwawia (36th). Pritam Singh (45th+2) reduced the margin for Mohun Bagan.
Adviser to the Chandigarh Administrator Pradip Mehra distributed the prizes. The winners were presented a cheque of Rs 50,000 and the trophy. The Mohun Bagan team got a purse of Rs 25,000.
Mohun Bagan were quick to attack and for the first ten minutes dominated the proceedings. They got one good chance to score but CFA goalkeeper Harpreet Singh just managed to collect the ball before any harm could be done.
With a sizable local crowd cheering them, CFA started asserting themselves. With KC Lalchhuanmawia displaying eye-pleasing moves gave Mohun Bagan a harrowing time. Whenever, he was in possession of the ball, he spelt danger. However, speedy Pankaj Negi stole the show by scoring a brace. He also had a hand in the CFA’s first goal. Initiating a move from the right flank, Pankaj sent a measured minus to Gagandeep Singh who made no mistake by placing the ball from a close range in a smooth action.
This infused more life into the CFA attack. Hardly the cheers of their supporters had died down, when the Chandigarh Administration team struck again in the 27th minute. Pankaj Negi registered his first goal as he capitalised on a right flank cross from Lalnunatalunga.
Mohun Bagan retaliated soon. However, the CFA goal a narrow escape. Gaiham Rongme, initiated the move and fed Mahendra Jit Singh whose diagonal grounder was brilliantly collected by spreadeagled CFA goalkeeper Harpreet Singh.
With two goals up, the CFA players proved themselves lion-hearted.They were awarded a free kick on the right flank.KC Lalchhuanmawia’s measured 20-yard floater found the Mohun Bagan rooted at one place as the ball hit the net. It was a gem of a goal.
Just before the first half session, Mohun Bagan displayed their class. Weaving a pattern, their forwards launched an attack with one touch play.The duo of Gaiham Rongme and Pritam Singh pierced the CFA defence, with the latter tapping a left foot grounder across the goalline.
One thought Mohun Bagan will fight back in the second half to further enliven the proceedings. But their efforts proved abortive as they failed to score another goal despite the fact that both teams displayed good talent. Mohun Bagan Pritam Singh was a class apart. Well built Pritam used both feet with the same skill and power and also used his body to block his opponents effectively. He did create a few openings but the other forwards failed to make use of his supply.
Few minutes after resumption Mohun Bagan could have scored their second goal. Pritam sent a sensible pass to Ram Malik who tested CFA goalkeeper Harpreet Singh who blocked the powerful shot. Amit Kumar Singh pounced on the rebound and unleashed a shot which went wide. Had Mohun Bagan converted this chance, the proceedings could been more entertaining.
Pankaj Negi thrilled the local crowd with his dash and ball control. In the 70th minute, trapping a stray pass he sprinted and side-stepped two defenders before sending the ball into the net for this side’s fourth goal and his second.
The CFA victory is more sweeter as today they were playing their 12th match in the last eight days. The CFA boys are also participating in the ongoing Subroto Cup in New Delhi. Here they have emerged champions and in Subroto Cup they have qualified for the next phase.
During the half time, the teams were introduced to the Finance-cum-Sports Secretary Sanjay Kumar. Punjab Additional Director General of Police Chander Sekhar and Chandigarh Sports Director-cum-Additional Deputy Commissioner IS Sandhu were also present on the occasion.