Delhi blank TN 6-0 in sub-junior nat’l football

Delhi started their 37th Sub-Junior National Football Championship campaign with a win as they steamrolled Tamil Nadu 6-0 in the first match of Group A at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Sunday.

The Delhi boys surged ahead in the 34th minute when forward Pratyaksh Pathaki burst onto goal after an inch-perfect through ball released from the midfield, and slotted the ball past the Tamil Nadu custodian.

Soon after Delhi doubled their lead as Harsh Tomar tapped his opportunity home after a cross from the left flank in the 36th minute.

Delhi could have scored more in the first half, but attacking opportunities were seldom finished.

With the home team dominating possession, Tamil Nadu initiated counter attacks on the Delhi citadel. The best chance of the first half for Tamil Nadu came in the 40th minute when striker Samuel Raj missed a sitter.

The half-time scoreline read 2-0 in favour of Delhi. In the 56th minute, a Suraj shot, which ricocheted off the Tamil Nadu defence line and ended up in the back of the net, made it 3-0 for Delhi.

Shortly after, Delhi’s custodian made point blank save to deny Samuel Raj’s thumping header.

In the 73rd minute, Harsh Tomar steered clear of the opponent defence onto goal, but failed to slot his opportunity past the Tamil Nadu custodian. Three minutes later, Yuvraj Negi scored a sterling goal as he ran 30 yards with the ball, beating a few defenders on his way.