Binod hat-tricks for West Bengal

Chandigarh, Sep 24: A brilliant hat-trick by Binod Nayak steered West Bengal into Group A quarter-final league after beating Tamil Nadu 6-1 in qualifying Cluster I encounter of the 31st Sub-Junior National Football Championship-2008 for Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy in Mahilpur.

It was their second successive win in the three-team qualifying cluster. Earlier, West Bengal had edged Orissa in their first encounter 5-4. Tamil Nadu and Orissa have made their exit from the competition.

Far superior in technique and ball control, West Bengal had to wait for 30 minutes to open their account through Sangram Mondal.

Two minutes later, a Tamil Nadu defender made an infringement inside the proscribed box and West Bengal were awarded a spot kick which Binod Nayak converted it in a smooth action.

Getting a regular supply of passes, Binod struck again in the 44th and 47th minutes to complete his hat-trick and give West Bengal a comfortable 4-0 lead.

Sangram Mondal and Viswajit Patra then added one goal each in the 75th and 80th minutes to complete the winners' tally.

Tamil Nadu were able to score their solitary goal through V Bimlanathan in the 73rd minute.

West Bengal became the second team to qualify for the group A quarter-final league. Hosts Punjab were the first team to advance to group B quarter-final league.

Meanwhile, in cluster II match at the Khalsa College ground, Mizoram scored one goal in each half to beat Uttar Pradesh by 2-0 for their second successive win. Lalnunmawai opend the account in the 22nd minute and Lalnunpuia made it beyond doubt with a goal in the 67th minute. Mizoram had earlier routed Chattisgarh by 8-0.

At the Guru Nanak Boys School ground, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh split points after a one-all draw in cluster II match.

Aftab Alam helped Madhya Pradesh forge ahead in the 29th minute while Ravi restored parity with a goal in the 46th minute.

UNI