Delhi blank Railways 3-0 to advance into pre-quarters

Faridabad, Sep 26 (UNI) Skipper and star forward Sunil Chhetri stamped his class and scored a fine hat-trick in the second half as a mercurial Delhi blanked Railways 3-0 in a Cluster VII match to advance into the pre-quarterfinal knockout stage of the 61st National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today.

Railway crowded their defence in the first half and the strategy paid off as the Delhi forwards struggled for the ball. Both sides muffed several chances in the goalless first half.

Rejuvenated after the breather, Delhi showed urgency and pressed for openings. Inspirational Chhetri led from the front and turned the match on its head almost singlehandedly as he found the net in the 57th minute and doubled the lead three minutes later.

Delhi were sensing kill now and Railways were on backfoot. The relentless attacks paid off and Chhetri again beat the goalkeeper in the 78th minute to put his team in the knockout stage.

In another Cluster VII tie, Jammu and Kashmir were held to goalless draw by Orissa.

UNI DH PM RK2100