Date:25/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/25/stories/2006092509671900.htm

Sport - Football

Delhi scores a hard-earned win over Orissa

Special Correspondent

FARIDABAD: Delhi stayed in the hunt with a hard-earned 4-2 victory over Orissa in a Cluster VII match of the National football championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Sector 12 Sports Complex here on Sunday.

After a poor start against Jammu and Kashmir when it lost 3-1 on Friday, Delhi regained its composure and made some tactical changes to outwit Orissa, which failed to translate its dominance into goals. Orissa equalised twice, but lost the momentum in the second-half.

The presence of Sunil Chetri in the forward line paved the way for Delhi as he put his team ahead with a fine solo effort in the 19th minute. The lead was nullified a minute from half time when Antu Murmur rocked the Delhi goal.

Chetri sparkles

On resumption, Delhi used Prashant Jaggi in the midfield and he helped the team maintain consistency in attacks. Chetri once again scored with a header off a flag kick by Praveen Rawat to put Delhi ahead, but Manabesh Mahanty equalised for Orissa.

With 25 minutes left, Jaggi worked tirelessly to feed the forwards where Rawat finished a brilliant passing bout between Jaggi and Trilok Singh Bisht and Chetri struck again with his individual brilliance to swing the match Delhi's way. Chetri should have added another goal, but he shot wide from a scoring position.

"I am happy with the result, but we should have scored more. Orissa is a tough side and we did well to win. Our defence made two crucial lapses and Orissa capitalised on them. I hope the team would perform better in the next match," said Delhi coach Anadi Baruah.

In a result that could help Delhi stay in the competition, Railways was locked goalless with Jammu and Kashmir in Cluster VII.

AP holds Manipur

In a surprise result at Gurgaon, Andhra Pradesh played superbly to hold Manipur to a goalless draw in Cluster V.

Manipur, the biggest beneficiaries of the sons of the soil policy of the All India Football Federation, failed to make the most from the line up that boasted of internationals Renedy Singh, Surkumar Singh, Raju Singh, Bungo Singh and Bijen Singh.

Coached by former international Mohammad Habib, Andhra Pradesh wasted an opportunity in the first half when Mohammad Qaiser shot over with goalkeeper Lalit Thapa at his mercy. Srinivas Rao worked hard for Andhra Pradesh while Mohammad Ali Khan excelled under the bar, especially when bringing off a couple of saves off Bijen and Narendra Meitie.

In another match in the same cluster, Chhatisgarh defeated Himachal Pradesh 7-0 after leading 4-0 at half-time. The scorers were Ram Chandra Murmu (two), Kulwant Singh (two), Abid Khan, Subir Maji and Tajuddin.

Monday's fixtures: At Faridabad: Tamil Nadu vs. Uttaranchal; Jharkand vs. Tripura.

At Gurgaon: Gujarat vs. Nagaland.