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SER regains trophy

VISAKHAPATNAM SEPT. 21. Host South Eastern Railway regained the all-India inter-Railway football championship, beating Western Railway 2-1 in the final at the flood-lit Railway Stadium here on Saturday evening.

Subhasish Chakraborty scored off a pass from Lakhan Chatterjee in the 16th minute. The local player Sitarama Raju, who came in as substitute late in the game was instrumental in the second goal. He put Partha Mitra in possession with a beautiful pass for the latter to make the score 2-0. Western's reducer came one minute before the long whistle, through substitute Kaushik Paul, who volleyed home from 30 yards.

The match started with both teams making raids at the rival goals in the first few minutes. The SER forwards were all over the Western area and after a brief exchange with the rival defenders, Lakhan Chatterjee pushed the ball to Subhashis Chakraborty, who knocked in past the goalkeeper who was not in a position to clear it.

After the breather, Western had some good chances of equalising the score. Manoj Rawat failed to connect a corner shot and later, inspite of positioning himself in front of the goal, headed a ball back to his teammate instead of deflecting it into the goal.

Soon SER took things under control. Balai Mondal, the tournament's top-scorer with seven goals, was in his elements though he narrowly missed a few chances. His runs down the left flank were a treat to watch. Once he shrugged off three defenders and advanced into the goal area but his hard shot at the goal was well blocked by goalkeeper Partha Das. Immediately a header by him, off a Subhashis pass just went over the crossbar. Soon after he took the ball once again into the danger area but could not aim straight, thanks to a defender who was trailing him. Inbetween Partha Mitra shot over the cross bar.

Western Railway was successful in turning the tide after surviving these close calls but Shiraj Hussain headed straight into the goalkeeper.

Soon SER coach, Veeribabu called back Lakhan Singh and sent in Raju. From the left, Raju found a wide gap and Partha Mitra was left unmarked. He turned the ball to him and Mitra completed the goal.

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