The 1-0 result in favour of Karnataka doesn’t actually tell the truth about day’s proceedings. Maharashtra were by far the better bunch both in the first and second sessions but a penalty conversion by Karnataka’s Anto five minutes from time sealed the fate of the south-west zonal final of the 32nd sub-junior football championship for the Mir Iqbal Hussain Trophy at the Air India ground in Kalina on Thursday.
In an otherwise dull match, there were a few moments that got the paltry crowd on its feet.
During the fag end of the first half, Maharashtra missed a sitter from hand-shaking distance which could have made the difference. But the goal in the 85th minute came quite against the run of play.
When Karnataka defenders were busy dealing with the Maharashtra forwards in their box, the hosts earned the spot-kick following a counter attack. Anto made no mistake in slotting the ball to the right of the goalie.
The win or loss didn’t hold much bearing as both teams have made it to the all-India finals which will be played in Gurgaon next month.
Two teams from four zonal rounds will compete with each other besides the defending champions and the hosts. “We are well prepared for the All India final for which the dates haven’t been announced yet,” Maharashtra coach Farukh Ahmed told DNA after the match.
But he didn’t agree with the fact that his boys were upset after Tamil Nadu and Goa accused them (Maharashtra) of fielding over-age players. “That’s not in our hands. We played the game according to our strengths. I think the heat here was too much which took its toll on the players,” Ahmed said.
Meanwhile, Henthoiba for Karnataka and hosts’ Nadeem Khan were adjudged the two best players of the day. Former Indian cricket team physio Dr Ali Irani was the chief guest on the final day.
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