The Hindu : Sport / Football : Hat-trick by Gurjit

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Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006
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Hat-trick by Gurjit

NEW DELHI: A brilliant hat-trick by Gurjit Singh Atwal helped Border Security Force (BSF), Jalandhar beat Corps of Signals, Goa 3-2 in the Group II third round match in the qualifying round of the 119th Osian's Durand Cup football tournament at the Air Force Ground, Race Course Road, here on Monday.

Atwal scored two first-half goals and then struck one towards the end before the signalmen gave enough hint of their ability to turn the match, but lost out on time. In the qualifier for a place in the pre-quarterfinals, the BSF will take on Salgaocar SC, Goa, on Wednesday.

A day after Churchill Brothers were shot out of the contention, Salgaocar avoided any such scare and defeated State Bank of Travancore (SBT), Thiruvananthapuram 2-0 in the other Group II match here.

The goals for Salgaocar came from its Nigerian recruits. Julius Apkele scored the opening goal in the 60th minute of the match when he headed in a Rocus Lamare's corner kick. Seven minutes later, Felix Chimaokwue slotted in the winning goal, again through a header off Lamare's corner.

As the Durand Cup entered into the second week, just four teams remained in the fray for the two spots in the pre-quarterfinals after 20 had started initially. Of the four teams, three are either army teams or from the para-military forces while Salgaocar is the lone private club in contention.

The results: Salgaocar SC, Goa 2 (Julius Apkele, Felix Chimaokwue) bt State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram 0.

BSF 3 (Gurjit Singh Atwal 3) bt Corps of Signals, Goa, 2 (S.K. Murseed, Asangir Sah). — Principal Correspondent

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