Services qualify for semi-final from group D

Chandigarh, Sept 5 (UNI) Highly skilled and agile Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) became the first time to qualify for the semi-final from four-team group D in fifth Administrator's Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament here.

SSCB outplayed Cantonment Board Senior Secondary School of Jalandhar Cantonment by 10-1 for their third successive win and emerged group leaders with nine points with an all-win record.

Sprightly Jacki Chand Singh gave yet another lion-hearted display as he pumped in seven goals. He opened the account for Services in the second minute with a powerful grounder from the top of the penalty box. Laxaman Murmu scored the second goal for Services in the third minute. Tomarjeet Singh made it 3-0 in the 20th minute. Then Jacki Chand Singh scored three goals in the 26th, 33rd and 38th minutes.

Navdeep Singh of Cantt Board Sr Sec School got the consolation for goal in the 36th minute. The Services lads led 6-1 at the breather. Jacki was again on the target in the 44th and 56th minutes. After Laxman Murmur had scored the ninth goal for Services in the 75th minute, Jacki Chand rounded of the winners' tally in the 79th minute.

Meanwhile, the Cantonment Board Senior Secondary School of Jalandhar Cantonment coach Vijay Kumar has protested in writing against SSCB team alleging that "Services team is almost overage." Vijay has requested that MRI test may be conducted on all Services players to ascertain their actual age.

Joint Director Sports Dr JPS Sidhu said that the department had received the protest letter along with the required fee. As all players have already undergone medical tests by a team of doctors, the medical report of the Services players would be submitted to the jury of appear for the final decision.

Earlier, in another group D match at the same venue local outfit Sanjay Public School Football Academy drubbed Daman and Diu Football Association by 9-0.

At the Sector 17 Football Stadium, Mahilpur Football Academy defeated Punjab Football Academy, Rurka Kalan by 2-1.

Other result: Mizoram FA bt Haryana Football Association by 3-0 UNI XC PS MMS2042