Chennai regains title

By Our Correspondent

DINDIGUL, APRIL 13. Chennai regained the Nilgiris District Football Association Shield, after a lapse of two years, defeating Dindigul by the odd goal in three in the final of the Sixth Tamil Nadu State women's football championship here on Thursday. Dindigul was awarded the G.S. Trophy. At half time Chennai led 1- 0.

It was a well-contested final and a crowd of 5000 enjoyed the game fully. Chennai played a tactical game by covering fully the prolific scorer Jeyanthi of Dindigul and that paid dividends. Chennai's Angayarkanni policed Jeyanthi and once she was made ineffective the Dindigul attack suffered.

Chennai took the lead in the 17th minute when left striker Jayanthi found the net off a fine cross from outside-left Jecintha. Chennai could have increased the lead in the 31st minute when Angayarkanni took a fierce shot off a free kick from 20-yards range but Dindigul goalkeeper Arockia Anitha brought off a difficulty save.

In the second session, however, Dindigul team began to play well and Jayanthi found the equaliser by converting a direct free kick from a 2-yards range. Both the teams played hard to get the winner and Chennai succeeded in getting it in the 53rd minute, when right half Rosaline netted off a free kick taken from the edge of the box.

Dindigul fought desperately to get the equaliser towards the end and it almost succeeded when it got a free kick just outside the box in the 58th minute. Jayanthi, who had not missed to score from such position so far, took the free kick but to the crowd's disappointment, the Chennai goal-keeper Dhanalakshmi brought off a brilliant save. Dindigul was on the attack thereafter but Jayanthi was fully bottled up and the equaliser eluded till the end.

Mr. Rathnasabapathy, Superintendent of Police, Dindigul District presided and Mrs. Geetha Rathnasabapathy gave away the prizes. Mr.C.R. Viswanathan, President, Tamil Nadu Football Association was the Chief guest and Mr.G. Sundararajan, President, DDFA welcomed the gathering. Mr. Shanmugam, Secretary proposed a vote of thanks.

The Best Player awards of Gold Coins from Arasan Jewelleries went to: Forward: M. Jayanthi (Dindigul); Defender: M. Jeya (Chennai); Goal-keeper: Arockia Anitha (Dindigul). M. Jeyanthi of Dindigul, who was the top scorer with 12 goals was given a cash award of Rs. 500 by Mr.G. Sundararajan.

Jamal Mohammed wins

TIRUCHI, APRIL 13. Jamal Mohammed College, defeated Jaffar Memorial Football Club 2-0 in the first division league match for the E.P. Mathuram Trophy sponsored by Saranathan Engineering College and conducted by Trichy District Football Association here this evening.

Vetriselvam scored the first goal for the winner and later, Andrew, defender of Jaffer MFC, conceded through an inadvertent back pass, the second goal.

Earlier, spirited youth FC and YMCA, Trichy drew 1-1. Kingston scored for the former and Clensie equalising for the latter.

The Chennai team which won the Tamil Nadu State women's football championship in Dindigul on Thursday.

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