AIFF Media Team

AMRITSAR, PUNJAB: Delhi delivered a commanding performance yet again, defeating Uttarakhand 4-1 in the Group B qualifiers of the 78th National Football Championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Bibi Ratni Sports Stadium on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

The winners led 2-1 at half time.

With this win, Delhi have taken their points tally to six from two matches in the four-team group and have strengthened their claims for topping the group.   

Delhi, similar to their previous game in the 6-0 win over Chandigarh, started strong with an early goal from Jaideep Singh in the seventh minute to take the lead.

Uttarakhand responded by converting a penalty in the 16th minute, scored by Nirmal Singh Bisht. Although the equaliser gave Uttarakhand a breather, it was short-lived as Delhi’s Rohminthanga regained the lead with a header from a corner in the 18th minute.

The game was a fiercely-contested battle, with both teams leaving no inch of the pitch unchallenged. In the 50th minute, Iashanbok Buhphang of Delhi scored with a header from a cross delivered from the right wing.

This was followed by Rohminthanga’s second goal of the day—the last for Delhi—in the 63rd minute, which he smashed into the net after a series of confusions in Uttarakhand’s box.

The second fixture of the day saw Haryana beat Chandigarh 1-0.

Reflecting on the fact that Delhi are the current group leaders, Haryana are now tied with Uttarakhand at 3 points from two games played.

Haryana’s Sachin scored their only goal of the campaign in the 33rd minute with a right-footed shot from just outside the box.