AIFF Media Team
NARAINPUR, CHHATTISGARH: Chandigarh and Punjab extended their winning streaks with identical 2-0 victories over Karnataka and Meghalaya, respectively, in Group C of the Junior Boys’ National Football Championship for the BC Roy Trophy Tier 1 at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
In the first match of the day, Chandigarh scored twice in the first half against Karnataka to move to the top of the table with six points from two matches. With this loss, Karnataka suffered their second consecutive defeat and remained at the bottom of the table without a point.
Chandigarh started on a strong note, with Hipjyoti Moran scoring in the seventh minute. Austin Ningthoujam (15’) soon added another goal, ensuring Chandigarh maintained a comfortable lead throughout the game and collected full points.
In the other Group C match, Punjab began with a strong attacking mindset, which led them to a comfortable 2-1 victory. Skipper Jugraj Singh (12’) scored an early goal setting the tone for Punjab. Midfielder Daljinder Singh (56’) doubled the lead in the second half. He found himself in a one-on-one position with goalkeeper Samepaia Thangkiew in the middle of the box and then delivered a perfect shot on target. Meghalaya pulled one back with Iminstar Mawlong's (87’) long-distance shot from around 20 yards on the right, but it didn’t prove enough for them.
Punjab, too, have six points from two matches. Given the current position of the Group, their match against Chandigarh could prove crucial in deciding the semi-final spot from Group C.
Big wins for Nagaland, Sikkim, Manipur and Assam in Tier 2
NAGAON, ASSAM: Nagaland dominated Lakshadweep with a 7-0 victory, while Haryana lost to Manipur 0-2 in Group A matches of Tier 2 of the Junior Boys’ National Football Championship for the BC Roy Trophy at the Nurul Amin Stadium in Nagaon, Assam on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
In Group C, Sikkim triumphed over Andhra Pradesh 4-2, and Assam won 4-0 against Himachal Pradesh.
The Nagaland-Lakshadweep match was a one-sided affair. Nagaland’s standout player, Nahpan, scored (22’, 37’, 40’, 88’) four goals. Atsibu Medoze (65’, 84’) added two goals and Ayhunloo Chung completed the scoreline with a goal at (90+2’).
In the other Group A match, Manipur secured full points against Haryana, thanks to a brace from Kshetrimayum Langamba Singh (38’, 90+4’).
In Group C, Mokshya Upreti (34') opened the scoring for Sikkim. While Nee Seikh Subba (42’) doubled the lead, Mokshya (53’) added another goal. Andhra Pradesh responded with two goals in the second half from Chapati Bharath Reddy (65’) and Kiaansh Guda (68’). But it was Sherap Tamang’s (85’) goal that further widened the lead for Sikkim.
Hosts Assam were comfortable winners against Himachal Pradesh. Partha Dekaboruah (36') opened the scoring for Assam, and Rosan Dungdung (45+2') increased the lead. In the second half, Akash Lohar (49') and Kamsemlal Vaephei (57') added two more goals to complete the rout.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 fixtures--
Junior Boys’ NFC for BC Roy Trophy 2024-25
Tier 1, Narainpur, Chhattisgarh
Group A: Uttar Pradesh vs Mizoram (3 pm), Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground
Tier 2, Nagaon, Assam
Group B: Jammu & Kashmir vs Uttarakhand (8 am), Gujarat vs Tripura (4 pm) Nurul Amin Stadium Ground 2
Junior Girls’ NFC 2024-25
Tier 2, Belgaum, Karnataka
Group A: Chandigarh vs Jammu & Kashmir (8 am), Andaman & Nicobar vs Karnataka (11 am), Sporting Planet Lovedale Central School Ground
Group B: Rajasthan vs Pondicherry (2 pm), Tripura vs Maharashtra (5 pm), Sporting Planet Lovedale Central School Ground