Army XI defeats Tollygunge, tops table with 10 pts

Bangalore, Mar 8 (UNI) Army XI defeated Tollygunge Agragami 1-0 to assure itself a berth in the next round of the Second Division ONGC Cup 10th National Football League here today.

After both the teams drew a blank in the first half, Army striker Ramachandran netted the lone goal of the match in the 54th minute, cashing in on a brilliant pass by substitute Raghu Kumar, who replaced Ibrahim just one minute before.

The Kolkata outfit was reduced to 10 members when referee K N Thrivi of Kerala sent out Shovan Das by showing a red card for arguing on a decision given for obstructing Army mid-fielder Nguernilal in the 71st minute.

The Army men could have increased their tally, but for substitute Vijay Thapa, who, though succeeded in clinching the ball from Manoj Das, failed to score.

Combination of Nigerian strikers Abiodun G Benga Lawal and Bolwe M Putu did not help Agragami as they struggled to score.

Army XI now topped the table with 10 points, with three wins and a draw, while Agragami had only one point from three encounters as it lost two and drew one.

UNI MSP RG AY HT2012