Patna, February 14, 2009
Ayan Choudhury struck two goals as West Bengal thrashed Tamil Nadu 6-1 to clinch the 8th All India BSNL football championship title at the Mithilesh Stadium here on Saturday.Karnataka claimed the third spot beating Punjab 1-0.
Ayan Choudhury struck two goals as West Bengal thrashed Tamil Nadu 6-1 to clinch the 8th All India BSNL football championship title at the Mithilesh Stadium here on Saturday.Karnataka claimed the third spot beating Punjab 1-0.
Bengal, who had Indian team goalkeeper Subrata Pal in their line up, got off to a sound start as in the 8th minute striker Ayan Choudhary sent a crisp floater to G Das on the box and he did the rest (1-0). Bengal made a fine attempt in the 18th minute when P Bhowmick's shot ricocheted after hitting the cross bar. Striker S Islam latched on the ball and took a powerful shot but that could not beat Tamil Nadu goalkeeper K Narayan. Bengal scored the second goal in the 26th minute when RN Singh found the target off a pass from Ayan Choudhary (2-0).
Bengal ended the first half campaign with a 2-0 lead.
After the break, Ayan Choudhary scored the third and his first goal in the 46th minute (3-0). A few minutes later he netted his second and his team’s fourth goal (4-0). S Kalam increased the margin in the 53rd minute (5-0). R Biswas completed the tally in the 65th minute (6-0). T Pongappa reduced the margin for Tamil Nadu in the dying moments (6-1).
Gopal Das, Director, (HRD), BSNL, was the chief guest in the prize-distribution function and he gave away the prizes. SC Misra, Chief General Manager, BSNL, Bihar Circle welcomed the guests and RK Mishra, General Manager (mobile) proposed a vote of thanks. PK Sarkar, Principal General Manager (Patna Phones), Sunil Kumar, Financial Adviser, (Bihar Circle), SN Tiwari (observer) and chief referee N Sridharan were present at the prize-distribution function.
The organizers also felicitated Indian football team goalkeeper, Subrata Paul at the prize distribution ceremony.
Earlier in the semi-finals, Bengal crushed Punjab 4-0 while Tamil Nadu upset defending champions Karnataka 3-1.
Karnataka started the proceedings on a fine note as their striker Kadir Abb drew the first blood in the 21st minute. But the lead could not last long as Tamil Nadu equalised it in the 26th minute through Parthsarthy (1-1). Both teams were locked 1-1 in the first half. Kaltas put Tamil Nadu in the lead scoring the second goal for his team in the 52nd minute (2-1). J Pargunam scored the third goal for Tamil Nadu in the 60th minute (3-1).
Karnataka started the proceedings on a fine note as their striker Kadir Abb drew the first blood in the 21st minute. But the lead could not last long as Tamil Nadu equalised it in the 26th minute through Parthsarthy (1-1). Both teams were locked 1-1 in the first half. Kaltas put Tamil Nadu in the lead scoring the second goal for his team in the 52nd minute (2-1). J Pargunam scored the third goal for Tamil Nadu in the 60th minute (3-1).
In the second semi-finals, Bengal striker Ayan Choudhary was in full flow scoring a hat trick of goals. He netted the first in 12th, second in the 17th and the third in the 29th minutes of the match. G Das completed the tally in the 60th minute (4-0).
Photo caption: India and BSNL Bengal team goalkeeper Subrata Pal (left) being felicitated during the prize-distribution function of the All-India BSNL football tournament in Patna on Saturday. (February 14, 2009).
Photo: Aftab Alam Siddiqui