The Hindu : Sport / Football : Bengal wins

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Sunday, Oct 29, 2006
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Bengal wins

CHENNAI: West Bengal regained the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy after a gap of three years, winning the National sub-junior football championship here on Saturday. Runner-up last time, Bengal defeated holder Mizoram 3-0 in the final for its 11th title.

On a rain-marred turf at the Nehru Stadium, the Bengal players showed better adaptability, negotiating the pools of water well leaving the Mizoram lot in despair. The despair led to a momentary touch of madness when Mizoram's C. Lalmalsawma and Bengal substitute Avijit Mondal exchanged blows and promptly got the marching orders.

Since Lalmalsawma had begun the fight he got the red card straightaway, while for Avijit it was a second yellow card booking that led to automatic expulsion.

But much before this 85th-minute episode, Bengal had virtually sewn up the match thanks to Ajay Mullick, the fast moving forward who got the breakthrough in the 57th minute and then added another four minutes later to top the scorers' list in the championship (11 goals).

Mizoram's efforts through Lalhlimuia and Malsawmtluanga went in vain as, despite moving fast, they were unable to control the ball. Bengal made the issue safe in the 83rd minute, when a combined move by Mullick and Jewel Raja led to Sanat Dhali finding the net. C.R. Visswanathan, Vice-President, AIFF gave away the prizes. — Special Correspondent

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