The Hindu : Sport / Football : Inspired show by Goa

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Friday, May 18, 2007
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Inspired show by Goa

Principal Correspondent

Solitary-goal win for Punjab

THE WINNER: Punjab's Lalhalmtharamama (left) scored Punjab's only goal against Services. — PHOTO: RITU RAJ KONWAR

GUWAHATI: Goa signed in with an inspired show, defeating a strong Mizoram side 3-1 in a group `B' league encounter of the 16th National under-21 football tournament here on Thursday.

Punjab also made a positive start beating Services by a solitary goal in another match of the same group held earlier in the day.

It was Goa's all-round show that livened up the tournament, giving a motley gathering of local supporters enough reasons to cheer. The West Zone champion — having won the title on previous three occasions — stamped its authority in its first outing here with a mix of tact and aggression.

First strike

Mizoram found the goal route early as Goa took time to adjust to the conditions. Familiar with the surface and the weather, Mizoram scored first through B. Vanlalnghaka in the 10th minute. Goa got back into the match midway through the first session and struck the equaliser in the 38th minute. Its game-maker Kevin Lobo finished a well-orchestrated move.

Goa impressed by attacking with different combinations and made things difficult for a comparatively disorganised Mizoram. Goa's lead came in the 67th minute when striker Joy Ferrao finished a move that had built up through the left flank. Mizoram pressed hard for the equaliser and ended up conceding another goal in the effort.

Milagres Gonsalves, the other Goa forward, then completed the tally as he availed a missed pass by Mizoram defender David Lalthansanga in the 79th minute.

Full points

Earlier, Punjab's Mizoram recruit Lalhalmtharamama scored the winner against Services in the last minute of the first session to ensure full points.

The northern powerhouse played its traditional robust game but could not make an impression. After midfielders Adil Hassan and Jaspreet Singh made abortive attempts at the Services goal, the Mizoram striker proved his merit chesting down a midfield lob before finishing with a brilliant volley taken on the half turn.

With two matches scheduled every day in the group league stages, the organisers have decided to split the fixture in two sessions. Therefore, the first match in the group league will be played in the morning to give the young players proper playing conditions. Defending champion Bengal will meet Kerala in the only group `A' match scheduled on Friday.

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