Chetak A, Ethopiya enter round 2

Pune, Dec 3 (UNI) Two goals by striker Safi Ali in a span of 10 minutes helped Ethopiya XI score an exciting 3-2 win over Poona Social A team, while Chetak A thrashed Ghorpadi Young Ones 3-0 to enter the second round of the late Surendra Anand Memorial State-Level Football Tournament organized by the Kirkeeans Sports Club under the aegis of Pune District Football Association at the Ammunition Factory, Khadki ground here today.

In the first match of the day, Chetak A dominated the proceedings from the sixth minute when Rutraj Thakkar finished a pass from Ambar Shrivatsav and struck the first goal and took his team to 1-0 lead until the halftime.

In the second half, both the teams tried hard for possession, until a Anuradhan Dutta pass in the 47th minute from the left flank, found striker Aditya Bhaskaran who finished the goal to take his team to a 2-0 lead. Kartik Mandrekar nailed the final nail in Ghorpadi Young Ones coffin as he ran solo to score the third goal in the 52 minute.

Star Striker Ruturaj Thakkar was named player of the match for his efforts.

Ethiyopia XI comprising Ethiopians studying in the city were given a close fight by Poona Social, before the Ethopians scraped past 3-2 to enter the second round.

Forward Safi Ali proved to be player of the day as he finished the first goal off a pass from Nasir Hachi in the 33rd minute to see the score go up 1-0. Safi struck again in the 43rd minute taking his team to a 2-0 lead and scoring his second goal off a pass from Hussien Fami.

In the second half in the 50th minute Nasir Hachi took advantage of a loose ball and ran solo to score his first goal and the third for Ethipoyians.

The Ethopiyans relaxed, but the Poona Social A team had other plans in mind and started attacking the Ethiopians half, which proved successful as Ganesh Umber attacked the goal and scored in the 58 and 61 minutes to reduce the deficit. However, Umber's efforts were not sufficient as his team lost the match. Nasir Hachi who scored two goals was named the player of the match.

Following are the results Chetak A - 3 (Rutraj Thakkar 6th min, Aditya Bhaskaran 47th min.

Kartik Mandrekar 52nd min) bt Ghorpadi Young Ones - 0.

Ethiyopia XI - 3 (Safi Ali 33rd, 43rd Min, Nasir Hachi 50th min) bt Poona Social A - 2 (Ganesh Umber 58 and 61 minutes) UNI IS KU MQA BST0019