UP XI pip East Bengal colts, Goa prevails over Maharashtra Police

Aurangabad, Maharashtra, Sep 8 (UNI) East Bengal (Kolkata), fielding a junior team, went down fighting to UP XI in the All-India Mayor's Trophy football tournament at the MGM ground here.

In a match of fluctuating fortunes, UP XI rode on Amit Singh's 60th minute goal to post their second successive victory in the tourney.

East Bengal colts were unfortunate to lose the match. The first half entirely belonged to them, but they missed several goal-scoring chances to squander the advantage.

The youngsters excelled in short passes and their forward line enthralled the local fans with lightning moves. However, lady luck didn't smile on them as their strikers missed some sitters in front of the goal.

Both the teams drew blank at the breather. After the change of ends, UP XI attacked with renewed vigour and threatened the rival territory time and again. In the 60th minute, Amit Singh scored the match-winner after dodging past a couple of defenders, much to the delight of his team members.

Earlier, in the first match, Goa XI pipped Maharashtra Police 6-5 via tiebreaker after both the teams were tied 1-1 after the extra time. In the penalty shootout, Goa's D Cardazo, Joy Ferero, Angelo Colaco, F Cardozo and S Rodrigues scored, while the losers succeeded in four attempts from Datta Thorat, Vaibhav Kadam, Uday Sadkar and Parag Sawant.

Mahindra United will take on IAF in the first match tomorrow, while Customs and Central Excise, Cochin, will meet Akbar Travels, Mumbai, in the second match.

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