Assam and West Bengal split points in sub junior football

Chandigarh, Sep 29 (UNI) West Bengal dropped yet another vital point as they played a thrilling 2-2 draw in group A quarter-final league match of the 31st Sub-Junior National Football Championship for Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy at Mahilpur today.

In another group A quarter-final league encounter, Goa bagged full points after beating Uttrakhand 2-1.

The West Bengal-Assam match was an absorbing affair. West Bengal, who had played a 1-1 against Uttrakhand in their first quarter-final league outing, were lucky as they managed even honours with the draw.

Assam were unlucky as twice the crosspiece came their way in the first half. Speedy Assam, who had routed Goa in their first quarter-final fixture on September 23, surged ahead in the 21st minute through a brilliant goal by Holicharan. West Bengal retaliated soon and mounted pressure and Binod Nayak restored parity as he hit the target in the 26th minute.

In the evenly contested match, West Bengal forged ahead with a goal coming from the boot of Akhil in the 65th minute. The Assam boys then went all out and neutralised the lead in the 86th minute through a goal scored by Christopher.

With this draw, West Bengal have two points from the same number of matches. Assam have so far secured four points with one win and one draw.

Goa tasted their first win in the quarter-final phase. But it was a hard-earned 2-1 verdict against Uttrakhand. It was Uttrakhand who fired the first salvo through Satnam Bela in the 24th minute.

Fernandes neutralised the lead for Goa in the 41st minute while Alesh Sawant snatched the winner in the 63rd minute. Goa have secured three points from two matches while Uttrakhand have just one point to their credit from two matches.

UNI XC HS RAR KN2008