CHANDIGARH, DEC 24 :Chandigarh Football Academy, a venture of the Chandigarh Administration, outplayed Sikh Temple Football Club of Canada by 3-0 in a friendly football match at the Sector 17 here today. A sizable crowd turned up to watch the match.
The skillful, robust and speedy Chandigarh Football Academy, a brain child of former Punjab Governor-cum-Administrator Chandigarh J.F.R. Jacob, could have won still by a bigger margin had they converted all the chances that came their way. The Canadian goalkeeper Bavan Sahota also gave a delighted display under the bar and made a couple of spectatular saves.
The CFA boys enjoyed the territorial supremacy in both sessions but they failed to score a goal in the first half. The hosts mostly camped inside the rival territory. Bikramjit and Pankaj Negi muffed easy chances to score. First Bikramjit’s sizzling shot sailed over the bar. Then Rajinder gave a perfect forward pass to nippy Pankaj Negi who could not take advantage of the chance from a handshaking distance.
After a goalless draw, the CF Academy opened the account in the 31st minute. Trapping a pass, Bikramjit unleashed a powerful floating shot. Canadian goalkeeper Bavan Sahota jumped into the air and stopped it with extended right hand. The ball dropped on the goalline before crossing over.
The CFA boys continued their pressure and nine minutes later ebullient Pankaj Negi volleyed an angular shot from the right flank and the ball zoomed into the far net for CFA’s second well-earned goal. Negi himself rounded off the winners’ tally in the 60th minute.
Canadian coach Sukhi Sandhu praised the CFA players for their brilliant display. He described the ‘standard of the CFA players very high at this age (under 15-16 years)."
Baljinder Singh of CFA was cautioned for dangerous play.
Among those pressent on the occasion were Chandigarh Sports Director IS Sandhu, Joint Sports Director Dr JPS Sidhu and parents of the Canadian team.
A memento was presented to the Chandigarh Sports Director on behalf of parents of the Canadian team. CFA coaches Harjinder Singh and Tejinder Kumar were also presented mementos by the Sikh Temple Football Club.