CHANDIGARH : An additional time goal by Mohit helped Chandigarh Football Academy rally to end the challenge of Sahayatri Football Academy of Howrah (Kolkata) by 2-1 in the semi-final of the 9th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament (Under-17) at the 17 Football Training Centre here today.
Local favourites CF Academy will now meet Sambalpur Football Academy of Orissa in the title-clash tomorrow. Sambalpur Football Academy overcame a stiff resistance from Indian Football Association of Kolkata by an identical 2-1 margin in the first semi-final match.Earlier, the Organising Committee Disciplinary Committee scratched Rurka Kala Football Academy of Punjab on the charges of impersonation/falsification. Coach of the Chandigarh Football Association Harjinder Singh has alleged that four Rurka Kalan Academy players – Badshah Khan, Vishal Kumar, Simranjeet and Jagjeet— were participation under false names.
The Disciplinary Committee upheld the protest of Harjinder Singh debarred Rurka Kalan Football Academy (Rurka Kalan Youth Club) from participation in the tournament. Rurka Kalan had yesterday qualified for semi-final.
Sahayatri Football Academy had to blame themselves for missing the bus for the final spot as they frittered away more than half a dozen open chances to score. Their main culprit was Narhari Shreshta who was totally off colour and wasted five open goals.
In the seventh minute, Chattu Mondal gave a through pass to Narhari Shreshta in the penalty area of Chandigarh Football Academy. However, Narhari kicked the ball straight into the waiting hands of CFA goalkeeper Zothan Mawia. CFA were again lucky in the 15th minute Sushanta Ssrkar unleashed a powerful shot from the right flan but the ball hit cross-bar.
After few minutes, Narhari Shreshtra headed the ball off the target while CFA custodian Zonathan Mawia was not positioned in the goal.
CFA tested the Sahayatri Football Academy in the 26th minute but Mohit’s drive from 12 yards went off the target. Two minutes later Milan Roy gave a defence-splitting pass to Narhari Shreshtra who again missed an opportunity to put his team ahead.
Maintaining their pressure, the Kolkata team’s efforts bore fruits. They drew the first blood in the 29th minute Sushanta Sardar scored from the right flank as the ball went into the far corner of the goal. Sahasyatri FA led 1-0 at half time.
Sahayatri goalkeeper Souvik Samtra made a brilliant save by thwarting the efforts of Samuel in the 54th minute. Subroto Mondal of Sahayatri FA got yellow card in the 58th minute. It was his second yellow card which means that he would have to miss the match against IFA tomorrow for the third and fourth places.
The local outfit, a venute of the Chandigarh Administration, restored parity in the 78th minute when Vikram took the ball from the left flank and after getting the better of Sahayatri medio Firoz Ali before unleashing a long range shot which went right corner of their opponents goal while Sahayatri FA goalkeeper Souvik Samtra had advanced to collect the ball.
Just before seconds from the close of end Mohit snatched the winning goal for Chandigarh Football Academy.
Earlier, Indian Football Academy ousted IFA. IFA took the lead in the 8th minute. Dipu Burman gave a through pass to left winger Suken Bag who gave a minus pas to Maink Deb whose poiwerful drive beat Sambalpur FA custodian Md Tajuddin.
Down by a goal, Sambalpur FA lads started putting pressure and in the 44th minute IFA goalkeeper Tanumay Dass took more than six seconds to release the ball from his hands. Referee Arun Kumar awarded an indirect kick for the infringement. S Pritam Singh took the indirect kick. IFA defender Sanjib Biswas while trying to clear the ball with header. The ball gained height and crossed the goalline.
The teams shared two goals at half time. Sambalpur FA had a chance to score in the 52nd minute. When Laxman Murmur gave a loafted cross in the penalty area where Sawan Maridi took a header which was grabbed by IFA goalkeeper Tanumay Das.
Three minutes later Sambalpur FA got the winning goal. Medio Deepak Oram sent a loafted ball to Gora Chand Marndi who made not mistake by scoring from a narrow angle.
Tomorrow’s fixtures: For third and fourth places: Sahayatrai FA vs IFA Kolkata (10 a.m.) at Sector 42 Football Ground.
Chandigarh Football Academy vs Sambalpur Football Academy (2.30 p.m) at Sector 17 Football Training Centre.