The Hindu : J&K gives Bengal a scare

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 26, 2002

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Sport - Football

J&K gives Bengal a scare

By Our Sports Reporter

MANDYA April 25. History favoured West Bengal (IFA), while Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) had the dark-horse tag. And their Group I clash at the M. Visweswaraiah Stadium here on Thursday, was bound to trigger sparks. Thankfully it did and the M. Dutta Ray Trophy under-21 National football championship had its first decisive verdict after two days of drawn encounters.

West Bengal, thrice champion and runner-up on five occasions, hustled to a 3-2 victory. Later in another Group I match, Maharashtra (WIFA) defeated Andhra Pradesh 2-0.

Bengal perhaps was a bit complacent and when Ashim Biswas headed in the opening goal off a Gourav Dutta corner kick in the 14th minute, the reigning champion prematurely walked into the clouds.

The mid-field failed to assist strikers Ashim Biswas and Dulal Patra while the defence left huge gaps.

Bengal's euphoria ebbed away as Ishfaq Ahmed led the J&K charge. The stocky striker's dash and verve punctured the rival defence and helped J&K lead 2-1 at the break. J&K equalised in the 25th minute with Sheik Rizvan heading in a Shahnaz Iqbal 30-yard freekick. The Bengal retreat had a repeat in the 31st minute as custodian Sumanta Ghosh blocked a stinger from J&K captain Amardeep Singh and watched Ishfaq Ahmed's frenzied boots chipping in the rebound. However, minutes before the break, Ishfaq's rush-of-blood led to a yellow card.

Stung by the reversal in fortunes, Bengal slowed the pace in the second half while its strikers found their mark. An on-the-run low header by Deb Kumar Sasmal off a Swarup Chatterjee floater hoodwinked J&K custodian Bikramjeet Singh in the 74th minute.

Two minutes later, Bikramjeet's anguish continued with Debasis Roy, substituting for Dulal Patra, outwitting lanky defender Mehraj Din Wadoo while heading in a Faiz Ahmed lob.

The Maharashtra (WIFA)-Andhra Pradesh clash was a tale of which team made fewer errors.

In this dubious race, Maharashtra emerged on top. Ashish Bhoir ran past a charging Andhra goal-keeper Mohd. Asif while bulging the net in the 29th minute and Mohomed Khan scored Maharashtra's second goal with a 79th-minute header.

Bengal and Maharashtra grabbed three points apiece while J&K and Andhra Pradesh are yet to open their account.

Friday's matches: Group I: Services vs Goa; Karnataka vs Manipur.

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