By Joseph Solomon,
AIFF Media Team
NEW DELHI: Kerala, were held to a goalless stalemate by Haryana in their opening clash of Group B in the 37th Sub-Junior National Football Championship at the Ambedkar stadium in the Capital on April 11, 2016.
Albeit the score-line remained stagnant throughout the match, both Teams fostered goal-scoring opportunities, and had the Teams had their scoring boots on, the complexion of the match would have been much different.
The opening minutes of the match belonged to Kerala, as they had the lion’s share of possession, with Haryana testing Kerala’s defensive tenacity by counter-attacks only. In the 17th minute, Kerala came close to scoring as a free-kick from 25yards out flew inches over the bar.
Shortly after, Kerala’s attack line burst onto Haryana’s goal, only to shoot the ball right down the opposition custodian’s throat.
Haryana gradually dug their roots into the match and started dictating the flow of the game. The best chance of the first half came in the 43rd minute when a delicious Haryana cross from the left flank was headed wide off goal, with Kerala’s goal at mercy.
The second half was less eventful when juxtaposed to the first, after the half-time scoreline read 0-0. With both Team trying to take the game by the scruff of its neck, neither succeeded and often cancelled each other out in midfield.
The rare goal scoring chances created by either Team, were cleared away by the other’s defensive line of duty.
The full-time scoreline read 0-0, as both Teams shared the spoils of battle.
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