Bank of India, Maharashtra Police enter Semi-finals

Pune, Dec 14 (UNI) Bank of India and Maharshtra State Police, entered the semifinals of the Late Surendra Anand Memorial invitational Football tournament organised by Kirkeeans Sports Club and Manish Anand under the auspices of the PDFA.

In the quarter-finals played at the AFK grounds today Bank of India overcame Pune's Chetak A 2-0 , while Maharashtra State Police Put out Pune's Sangam XI 3-1 to book a berth in the semifinals.

Centre Forward Ali Khan played a major role in the Bankers victory scoring both the goals. Khan scored the first goal in the 45th minute on a pass from Krishnan Naidu and in the 52nd minute off a pass from Akash Jadhav. He was also named the man of the match.

Both teams marked each other even as referee Joseph showed yellow cards to Chetak A's Sachin Bedade in the 29th minute and to Shahnawaz Ansari of Bank of India in the 51st minute.

In another keenly fought out match Maharashtra State Police put out Sangam XI from Pune 3-1, with an outstanding effort by Parag Sawant who scored two goals in the 28th and 65th minute. Sawant scored the first goal off a pass from Sandeep Bidkar, Sangam scored an equaliser through Rahul Kadd's effort off a pass by Anup Sawant in the 30th minute.

In a counter attack launched almost immediately in the 33rd minute the Policeman hit back scoring their second goal by Riyaz Sheikh who was fed by a pass from Santosh Telang to go up 2-1.

Referee Nari Jagganath redcarded Rahul Kadd in the 53rd minute for elbowing his opponent, The pressure then shifted on the 10 men Sangam XI, who were frequently attacked by the Policemen. Sawant then made a splendid solo effort in the 65th minute to his second goal and seal the Pune team's fate. Sawant was named man of the match.

Following are the results Bank of India, Mumbai 2 (Ali Khan 45th and 52nd min) bt Chetak A 0 Maharashtra State Police, Mumbai 3 (Parag Sawant 28, 65 min, Riyaz Sheikh 33 mins) bt Sangam XI 1 (Rahul Kadd 30 mins) UNI IS MJ PM RAI1450