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Port Blair, Dec. 31: The dusk of the passing by year has brought jubilations for the Sports loving Islanders. The uncertainty and the anxiety of the day turned into some delightful moments in the evening. The reason was obvious.
The Andaman Nicobar team has entered into the Quarter final, proving its abilities against the mighty opponents. Around three thousands football fans were waiting for the start of the most crucial match of the Island’s team at the FIFA ground in the JNRM Campus this afternoon. The Goa team utilized the Psychological advantage of being the defending Champion from the very first moment. They made several attempts but the excellent Goal keeping of Ambrose of the island’s team prevented Goa to succeed in their mission. The first half passed without any goals.
The Andaman team made a remarkable recovery in the second half and the strikers started developing attacks on the opponents. Captain Russel marshalled his strikers beautifully and some fine attacks were made. The outstanding dribbling skills of Apolonius and the strong defensive tactics of Rufas Freer were close to perfection and the crowd enjoying every bit of the game. The second half was dominated entirely by the Island’s team. Thousands of football fans stood up on their feet, the moment referee blew the last whistle. The match ended in a draw, and the Andaman team has qualified for the quarter final, with the advantage of having better goal average in the league round.
The other teams which qualified today for the quarter finals are Maharashtra, Kerala and Delhi. In the day’s first important match Maharashtra defeated Vidya Bharti by 5-0. Karan Chauhan scored 3 goals alone for the winners. In another match played at Netaji Stadium this afternoon, Kerala outplayed Madhya Pradesh by 3-0. Sujas scored 2 goals and Sujit scored one for Kerala. Delhi secured its berth in the quarter final, defeating Uttar Pradesh by solitary goal in the last league match of the 58th SGFI National School Football Championship.
Schedule of Quarter Final Matches
QUARTER FINALS
01/01/13 1.00 pm RAJASTHAN V/S DELHI Netaji Stadium
01/01/13 3.00 pm PUNJAB V/S GUJURAT Netaji Stadium
01/01/13 5.00 pm MAHARASHTRA V/S ODISHA Netaji Stadium
01/01/13 2.30 pm ANDAMAN & NICOBAR V/S KERALA J N R M