The Hindu : Sport / Football : Ibrahim scores Army XI's winner

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Monday, Mar 13, 2006

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Sport - Football

Ibrahim scores Army XI's winner

Principal Correspondent

Bangalore: Ibrahim scored in the third minute and Army XI was content to hang on to that lead till fulltime, in its Second Division National Football League Group B match against Assam Rifles here on Sunday.

The match was only of academic value as Army XI had already booked a berth for the final qualifiers while Assam Rifles had only pride to play for in its last match.

Army XI, with four victories and a draw from five matches, tops Group B with 13 points while Assam Rifles stays at the bottom with a lone point.

A lot of interest will now centre on Tuesday's clash between HAL and Vasco SC as both teams are tied with nine points each from four matches. Both teams have qualified alongside Army XI but the two teams will play with intensity for second spot.

An unmarked Ibrahim latched onto Ramachandran's low header off a Nguernilal lob. Ibrahim slotted home with alacrity beating Assam Rifles custodian Lokeswar Singh flustered. Assam Rifles did take a shot through Omanakuttan's 25-yard stinger that was brilliantly fisted away by an airborne Army XI goalkeeper Robikanta Singh. Before the break, Army XI had its moments but Ramachandran and Thirunavukarasu failed to cap probing runs.

The second half initially witnessed a robust performance from Assam Rifles, pressing hard for the equaliser. An Onkar Rana shot was muffled by Robikanta Singh and later Joseph Hansda and Biswajit Singh saw their attempts bounce off the crosspiece. The match then wound to a tame close.

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