Assam tames Sikkim 5-3, Services beat Chandigarh 4-1

Faridabad, Sep 15 (UNI) Services scored three second half goals to down Chandigarh 4-1, while Assam quelled a late Sikkimese challenge to tame them 5-3 in Cluster IV matches of the 61st National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy at Nahar Singh Stadium here today.

Chandigarh matches Services for major part of the first half but MG Ramachandran's 42nd minute strike not only earned Services a 1-0 lead at half time, but also broke Chandigarh hearts.

Servies resumed second half with renewed vigour and N Gerneilal buttressed the lead in the 53rd minute, while A Thirunavakarasu made it 3-0 within another 10 minutes. There was no respite for Chandigarh as Shaji A D'Silva scored the fourth goal for his side.

For Chandigarh, Deepak Hooda scored the consolation goal in the 89th minute but it was too little and too late in the end.

Earlier today, a complacent Assam survived late Sikkim burst before beating them 5-3.

Assam sent an ominous signal by pumping in four goals in the first half as the hapless Sikim defence crumbled with Robijit Zigdung (5th, 14th minute), Abel sema (30th) and Brijab Mushahary (38th) finding target.

Despite trailing 0-4, Sikkim didn't give up and struck thrice in succession through Bir Bhadhur Pradhan (48th), Chunku Sherpa (72) and Ruben Rai (81st) to make it 3-4 and suddenly a life was infused into the match.

But it was not to be a fairytale story for the Sikkim lads and Akum Ao's 90 minute strike sealed the game in favour of Assam.

UNI AY DH VV1926