Mondal scores Bengal's winner

By Our Sports Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 12. Saikat Mondal's left-footer in the 72nd minute saw Bengal snatch a 1-0 win in the Group `A' quarterfinal league match of a 35th junior National football tournament at the Bangalore Football Stadium here today.

Earlier, Bihar scripted an easy 3-0 victory against Maharashtra (WIFA) in a Group B quarterfinal league fixture.

In the first half, the host Karnataka ruled. However strikers G. Ashok and Anthony Joseph's pitch for individual showmanship left Karnataka in despair. In the 21st minute, Anthony slipped past Bengal's Kajal Das, lured goalkeeper Mahesh Singh out but failed to pass the ball to an unmarked Ashok. Instead Anthony's right- footer sailed wide.

In the 32nd minute Bengal's Amar Pyne almost scored a goal but a last minute gaffe undid his efforts. Amar dashed into Karnataka custodian Nagendra, seconds before the ball rolled in. However, referee S.M. Yasin disallowed the goal.

In a span of four minutes starting from the 56th, Bengal prised open its rival defence with three sorties. A Trijit Das' header lost its sting as Nagendra effected a brilliant diving save. Later Mehatab Hossain rued his luck his right footer hit the left upright. And to sign off the woes, Supratick's solo was lost in a wide right-footer.

The match's lone goal came in the 72nd minute as a Trijit Das run down the right flank culminated in a cross to unmarked Saikat Mondal. Mondal's sliding left-footer found the mark.

In the day's first match Bihar striking the right notes against Maharashtra, scored in the seventh minute. Sayed Rahim Nabi capitalised on a goalmouth melee rebound. A Krishna Tudu run in the 19th minute increased Bihar's lead.

Bihar stretched its lead further when Syed Rahim's shot hit the right upright, ricocheted off defender Ansari's legs and trickled in off custodian Mohd. Atif's boots.

Karnataka's goal-keeper Nagendra and S.M. Manjunath (left) watch helplessly as Bengal's Saikat Mondal slides in the winner in the quarterfinal league match of the 35th junior National football tournament in Bangalore on Monday.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : India's tour programme till 2011 finalised
Next     : Game's biggest sponsor smoked out