K'taka pip Chhattisgarh on penalty shoot-out to move into QFs

Gurgaon, Sep 29 (UNI) Karnataka came from behind and edged out a gritty Chhattisgarh 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out to book a berth in the quarterfinals of the 61st National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy here today.

In an entertaining pre-quarterfinal match, Karnataka missed several sitters and the two teams were locked 1-1 in regulation time and extra time. For Karnataka J Murli, Xavier Vijay Kumar, B Prakash and D Raju found the target in the penalty shoot-out.

For Chhattishgarh Deepangshu Mazumdar and P Krishna Naidu scored while Kashi Ram Chhatriya and Deepak Kumar Subba missed the target.

Chhattisgarh surged ahead in the 14th minute when hard working striker Ramchandra Murmu struck a power packed right footer from the top of the box which gave no chance to the goalkeeper Jolted by the unexpected reverse Karnataka regrouped themselves and pressed for an equaliser. They almost restored parity in the 28th minute when Xavier Vijay Kumar's cross from the right was deflected into the danger area. But B Arun Kumar's header sailed over the crosspiece by a whisker.

After relentless pressure, Karnataka equalised in injury time of the first session (47 min) through international N S Manju who after collecting a fine pass from Gyan Moyon fired a powerful right footer which beat a diving goalkeeper to the left and crashed into the net.

After the breather Chhattishgargh also pressed hard to take the lead but the Karnataka defence stood firm. The team from South India was however the better side in the second session and they made several raids into the rival citadel. But they wasted several sitters.

In the injury time, Gyan Moyon found himself free in front of the goalkeeper after a long clearence from deep defence but his left footer was somehow deflected by the onrushing goalkeeper for a corner.

Chhattishgarghj could have sealed the match seconds later when a freekick taken by Tajueein was saved by a diving Karnataka goalkeeper.

Gyan Moyon could have sealed the match in the last minute of first session of extra time (104th min) when his powerful volley was saved by the goalkeeper.

Karnataka coach Thyagraj later rued the missed chances while talking to UNI.

''We mised several sitters in the match though I'm relieved that we are through to the last eight, we have to pull up our socks and improve our performance in the quarter-final.'' UNI PDS AB DH BD1935