GUWAHATI, Oct 4 � City based Betkuchi High School cruised into the final of the 54th edition of the Subroto Mukherjee Cup Football Tournament.
In the first semifinal of the prestigious championship at the Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi today, riding on a 20th minute goal by Birkwdao Daimary, Betkuchi High School edged past Greenwood School of Dimapur, Nagaland 1-0 in the U-14 category.
It is for the fifth time that a school from Assam has entered the final of the national level leading football championship organised by the Indian Air Force. Earlier, Kokrajhar Govt HS School (1979, 1986) and Arya Vidyapith HS School, Guwahati (1990, 1992) played the final in this championship. Both Kokrajhar HSS (1986) and Arya Vidyapith (1992) won the trophy for Assam.
Betkuchi coach Ansai Brahma and team manager Manoj Sarma informed that it was a tough match as the Nagaland boys played a power game and heavily marked their key players Tridev Boro and Nayanjyoti Kuli. Nagaland, although a disorganised side on ground, managed to foil Betkuchi�s every move applying tough tackles.
Birkwdao scored the match-winner off a flag kick as the ball sailed into the goal at the far corner deceiving all the Nagaland defenders and the goalkeeper.
The final is slated for October 11. The other finalist is yet to be decided.
Sports Minister Ajit Singh and Director of Sports Ratul Duarah congratulated the team for their achievement and hoped they will continue this form in the final also.