The Hindu : Sport / Football : Sloppy show by Tamil Nadu

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 12, 2005

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Sport - Football

Sloppy show by Tamil Nadu

Sports Reporter

EFFICIENT DEFENCE: Yokesh Lama (airborne) of Services successfully thwarts Devaraj's effort inside the danger area. — Photo: M. Moorthy

TIRUCHI: : Bimal B. Thapa's surprise strike in the 27th minute of the second half sealed the fate of host Tamil Nadu, which went down by a solitary goal to Services in a crucial Group `B' league encounter of the 14th National under-21 (inter-zone) football championship for the Dutta Roy Trophy at the St. Joseph's College HSS grounds here on Saturday.

The host could have won the match by at least half a dozen goals had not its forwards muffed up the simplest of chances that came their way in the first phase. Centre-striker Muthuswamy, Tamil Nadu's hero in its first match, and Devaraj should take the major share of the blame. The former played a patchy game right through, while the latter had the speed and stamina to outrun the defence but lacked the killer instinct when it came to goal scoring.

The atmosphere remained the same in the second session with the Tamil Nadu boys being cheered and encouraged at every touch of the ball inside the danger area. But, the Services defenders thwarted every move.

Twenty minutes into the session, the Services' forwards, for a change, pressed hard for possession. And, seven minutes later they earned their reward. It was Bimal's deadly strike that did Tamil Nadu in.

The striker latched on to a long defensive clearance and quickly worked his way to curve the ball into the top corner of the net. The ball hit the top post and landed in. For many, it looked an offside move, but the linesman thought otherwise.

Punjab drubs Delhi

Delhi had the boost of an early goal from the rampaging power of striker Sunil Rawat, but slumped to a 4-1 defeat to defending champion Punjab, which played an attacking second session to outwit its opposition.

Sandeep struck twice (14th & 90th) in the second half, while Jagpreet Singh (34th) and Kuldeep Kumar (39th) scored one apiece for the winner.

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