The Hindu : Sport / Football : Haryana downs Jharkhand

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Monday, Nov 26, 2007
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Haryana downs Jharkhand

Principal Correspondent

GURGAON: Haryana beat defending champion Jharkhand 1-0 in the last quarterfinal league match in the 44th junior National football championship here on Sunday.

The holiday crowd enjoyed the treat as Haryana forwards and mid-fielders kept the ball on the move to deny the three-time champion Jharkhand any openings. In the first semifinal on Wednesday, Haryana will take on Orissa, which just about managed to sneak in to the last-four stage. The other semifinal pits Bengal against Jharkhand.

At the Devi Lal Sports Stadium here, Haryana and Jharkhand started the match knowing well that their place in the semifinals was ensured regardless of the result. The boys from Tata Football Academy (TFA) that comprise the Jharkhand team looked listless on Sunday. Probably they were trying to save for the semifinal since it hardly mattered who would top the quarterfinal group.

Haryana on the other hand played as if in a hurry to impress, as the Chief Minister has announced a hefty cash award if Haryana wins its maiden title. Half-back Soprason Samantha was the playmaker while Ranty, Tushar and Vivek kept the ball rolling.

Thakkar nets winner

After a barren first half, Thakkar found the winner in the 54th minute as the Jharkhand boys apparently took it easy.

In an inconsequential match, Mizoram defeated Bihar 3-2 to finish third in Group A with one win. At Faridabad, Bengal defeated Orissa 2-1 for its third straight win to top Group B. Despite the defeat Orissa also made it to the semifinals as it finished with four points from a win, a draw and a loss.

After a goalless first half, Arun Niyogi put Bengal ahead in the first minute of the second half before Mithun Sah made it 2-0, 12 minutes later.

Orissa reduced the margin in the 67th minute, but failed to push for more.

In the second match, Karnataka defeated Assam 2-0 to actually help ease Orissa’s path into the semifinals.

The results:

Quarterfinal league: Haryana 1 (Thakkar 54) bt Jharkhand 0; Mizoram 3 (C. Gothansanga 4, R. Malsawmthanya 30, Lalrowna 76) bt Bihar 2 (Arjun Tudu 38, 67); Bengal 2 (Arup Niyogi 46, Mithun Sah 54) bt Orissa 1 (Tatun Das 67); Karnataka 2 (Don Bosco 58, K. Gopi 63) bt Assam 0.

Semifinal line-up: Haryana vs Orissa; Jharkhand vs Bengal.

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