Oct 26: Indo-Pak series forces organisers to reschedule the Durand Cup
A costly lapse by the Hindustan club’s custodian in the dying minutes paved the way for Border Security Force to become the first team to qualify for the main draw at the 120th Osian’s Durand Cup.
Gurjit Singh Atwal’s opportunistic solitary strike in the penultimate minute helped the Securitymen to outplay local outfit Hindustan FC 1-0 in the qualifying match played at the Ambedkar stadium here on Wednesday.
BSF will now meet former national league champions Mahindra United in the pre-quarterfinals on November 2.
The match started on a positive note with both teams looking out for goal scoring opportunities in the rival’s arena. Hindustan got an opportunity to take the lead as early in the sixth minute when striker Daniel had only rival goalkeeper Deepak Kumar to beat, but he messed up in the end.
Ten minutes later Harjeet Singh of BSF took the free-kick that hit the side post to deny them a chance to take vital lead. The first half ended with no goals being scored from either side.
After resumption, players of both the teams had their heart out to surge ahead in the match. They had their share of opportunity but could not be able to convert the half chances in to full.
BSF found the net in the 75th minute, when a cross from Atwal was guided home, by Kujur but disallowed later due to off-side.
The golden moment for the BSF came in the 89th minute when Santosh Kujur cross slipped out of the hands of goalkeeper Santosh Das for well-positioned Gurjeet Singh Atwal, who made no mistake in slamming it home sealing the doors for the opponents.
Hindustan ’s Nigerian coach Bernard Oparanozie was not happy with the attitude shown by some of his players.
"Many of my local players did not practice before this match. This is indiscipline and the club management should take a strict stand on this," he said.
Meanwhile, the tournament fixture has been rescheduled in view of the second ODI being played between India and Pakistan at Mohali on November 8. The final of the Durand Cup will now be played on November 7 while both the semi-finals would be played on the same day on November 5
Also, Central Railways have replaced Punjab Police in the schedule and will play Tata Football Academy on October 30.
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