Date:23/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052353142000.htm

Sport - Football

Nethaji SC in semifinals

Kayalpatnam: Nethaji Sports Club (Chennai) entered the semifinals of the 43rd annual Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Memorial Trophy all-India football tournament, edging past Cochin Port Football Club 3-2, at the United Sports Club ground here on Thursday. At the interval, Nethaji led 1-0.

Nethaji opened the account with a 21st minute strike by Murugan off fine pass from Nigerian striker Mathew.

Port Trust pressed hard and got the equaliser in the 47th minute when Arun banged home a cross from Raphael.

Nethaji took the lead again in the 58th minute after Naresh netted in a Mathew’s pass and Murugan scored the third goal in the 67th minute off a lob from Paneer Selvam.

However, the Cochin team reduced the margin in the 70th minute when Arun scored off Ahoj’s pass.

Ahoj, who went on a solo effort, came very near to getting the equaliser in the 78th minute, but he lost control of the ball near the goalline.

Wednesday’s result: Nethaji SC 3 (Mathew 2, Naresh) bt Track Totters FC (Ahmedabad) 1 (Nirmal). — Sports Correspondent