The Hindu : Sport / Football : JCT pips East Bengal, enters semifinals

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Wednesday, Dec 14, 2005

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Sport - Football

JCT pips East Bengal, enters semifinals

Sports Reporter

New Delhi: Striker P. Renedy Singh scored a spectacular 60-yard goal that even left his opponents in awe as JCT Mills defeated East Bengal 2-1, and took it to the semifinals of the Durand Cup football tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Tuesday.

In the last quarterfinal league match in Group D, Kolkata giant East Bengal needed to win while a draw would have sufficed JCT Mills, Phagwara.

JCT Mills will take on Army XI in the second semifinal on Thursday, while Sporting Clube de Goa meets Assam Rifles in the first semifinal on Wednesday.

JCT made right moves from the start and Renedy's 63rd-minute goal capped its fantastic effort. Generally a left-footer, Renedy surprised his marker when he took a precise shot with his right foot that took an elliptical path before dipping right into the top corner.

East Bengal played three foreign recruits, but JCT Mills' Marcos Pereira and Baldeep Singh thwarted their moves.

JCT Mills opened the account in the 31st minute. Nigerian Johnson Segun Banner sent a long cross to right-winger Parveen Kumar.

He sidestepped a marker and sent a scorching shot with his left foot to put JCT Mills 1-0 up.

On changing ends, East Bengal played with more vigour as its semifinal spot seemed to get more distant. Forward Debabrata Roy created one chance in the 55th minute, but he hit a feeble shot to squander it.

Two minutes later, Nouti, playing with bandaged head, sent a cross to fellow South African Sydney B. Nkalanga, who hit a rifle shot to equalise.

Sydney had yet another opportunity, in the 61st minute, but this time JCT Mills defence had marked the striker.

Two minutes later, Renedy silenced the vociferous East Bengal supporters.

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