The Hindu : Sport : Bengal makes final, meets TN

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 20, 2005

Sport

Sport

Bengal makes final, meets TN

Sports Reporter

TIRUCHI: Unable to withstand a fiery Bengal onslaught, Services went down 3-0 in the semifinals 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 Sunday.

Bengal forwards bulldozed the rival defence straightaway and packed in two stunning goals in the space of eight minutes. Inside two minutes, striker Habib Ali of Bengal shaped to score only to find defender Karaj Singh close the gap. It was hesitancy in attack that robbed the chance. However, he rode the shock well to score a brilliant goal in the very next minute. The striker dribbled smartly from the left and despite the defence covering him, beat them to the ball to score the team's opening goal.

Suraj shines

Even before the Services defenders could recover from the early jolt, left-striker Lalkamal Bhowmick increased the margin for the team with a powerful right-footer. Suraj Mandal, clearly the team's mainstay, provided the chance from the right for his striker to score.To add insult to injury, Habib belted the third for the team from inside the six yards box. It was Suraj again the generous contributor from the right.

In a bid to stop the free flow of goals, Services replaced its custodian and from then on there was no damage done.

Services did play to its potential, but Bengal played one better. It taught the opposition the art of both attacking and defending. Danger man Suraj was the thorn in Services flesh in the second half as well. In the sixth minute, the attacker withstood a determined challenge from the opposition and was positioned well in front of the net, but defender Anil Kumar of Services rushed on time to close the gate.

Midway through the session, Services did show signs of urgency. Its attackers were able to comfortably break into the rival citadel. However, instead of striking the net at the first instant they engaged themselves in short and square passes much to the disappointment of the crowd.

After a day's rest, Bengal will take on crowd favourite Tamil Nadu in the clash for title.

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