The Hindu : Sport / Football : Tamil Nadu storms into final

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Sunday, Jun 19, 2005

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Sport - Football

Tamil Nadu storms into final

Sports Reporter

Tiruchi: Host Tamil Nadu for the first time in 14 years booked its berth in the final of the 14th National under-21 (inter-zone) football championship when Muthuswamy's goal gave it a 1-0 win over Karnataka in the first semifinal at the St. Joseph's College HSS grounds here on Saturday.

This city has been a lucky venue for the host. The last time (1984) it played here it rocked fancied Bengal to clinch the National sub-junior title. And on Saturday, it responded to the crowd with a stunning display.

The opening session belonged to Tamil Nadu. Its forwards attacked with renewed vigour and had the Karnataka defence in total disarray. Naresh sparked the initial move from the right and sailed in a cross close to the goalmouth. Though centre-forward Muthuswamy, the day's hero, was in a position to score, he deflected the responsibility to his captain Venkatesan, who squandered the chance.

Pretty hard

The Karnataka defenders found it pretty hard to break the rhythmic moves of the Tamil Nadu attackers. In the 14th minute, Naresh came up with another threatening move only to find Venkatesan react with a weak push.

Thirty minutes had passed and Tamil Nadu custodian Billa was yet to see a single goal scoring threat. Just when the going looked good for the home side, Naveen Babu, so composed at the back, suddenly surged forward. He calmly dribbled past a Tamil Nadu defender and rammed a roaring volley that rebounded off the left post. Prakash, scenting a kill, pounced on the ball only to shoot it straight to Billa.

No escape

In the second half, there was no escape route for Karnataka. After only three minutes of attacking play, Muthuswamy slotted the winner off a Charles Raymond pass. Tamil Nadu did not slow down and doubled its efforts. But even when goal chances came its way, the host contrived to make a mess of them.

Sunday's match: Bengal vs Services, 3.30 p.m.

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