Bengal, Asom enter semi-final of Under 21 Nat'l Football

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Guwahati, May 20 (UNI) Defending champion West Bengal and host Asom entered the semi-finals of the Under 21 National Football tournament, underway here, today.

In the first group A match of the day, Bengal beat Delhi 5-1 to ensure their semi-final berth.

Bengal led the match with a goal by Ayan Choudhury (39th minute) in the first half. It consolidated its lead by another goal in the 68th minute by Gouranga Biswas. But Delhi tried to come back with Kulbhushan Manderwal scoring the lone goal for Delhi in the very next minute.

However, Bengal bounced back and did not give any chance to Delhi to score the equalizer. Ayan struck twice in the second half in 74th and 79th minutes, while the fifth goal was scored by Md Nadim in the penultimate minute of the match.

In the other group A match, Asom drubbed Kerela 5-0. Asom established an almost unassailable lead in the first half with four goals.

Star striker of the side Mintu Boro struck twice for Asom in 28th and 37th minutes. Just before the match went for the half time interval, Dewan Singh scored for Asom in 42nd minute while his teammate Jiadin Hmar struck at the 45th minute before the whistle went off.

However, as the match resumed after half time, Asom's another important striker Lalmanpui, who had scored two goals in the team's opening tie, was showed the red card in the 48th minute.

The host's maintained the dominance over Kerela and Mintu Boro went on to score another goal in the 66th minute.

In tomorrow's group B matches, Services will take on Mizoram and Goa will play Punjab. Goa has already entered the semi-final.

UNI