South Zone and NorthEast Zone Advance to Semifinals in 53rd All India FCI Football Tournament

Pune, 6th October 2024: South Zone left it late to qualify for the semifinals as the top team of Group-A in the 53rd All India FCI Inter Zone Football Tournament, on Sunday. 

The other team making the semifinals is winless East Zone (2 points). While, NorthEast Zone needed a win to advance which they did beating West Zone 3-1 and complete the last-4 line up. 

At the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge-Balewadi, South Zone ousted Headquarters 3-1 in a game most scoring was done in the second-half. 

South Zone (4 points) with one draw-one win topped Group-A. 

During the game, South Zone scored first through Gerald Mathew (33′) and ended the first- half 1-0.

Changing ends, Vineeth Kumar (44th’) doubled the South Zone tally. For Headquarters Ajay Bisht (48′) pulled one back to cut the margin. 

However, Mohd. Liyakath (55′) scored South Zone’s third and put the issue beyond doubt. 

Later, in a Group-B match, NorthEast Zone, downed West Zone 3-1.

NorthEast Zone ended Group-B with 3 points and finished second to group topper North Zone. 

All goals were netted in the second-half. 

S. Chinmuanthang (40′) opened for NorthEast Zone, while Banpynkhraw Khonjee (70′) doubled the advantage. 

A penalty-kick conversion by West Zone’s Hafiz Ur Rehman (70+4′) cut the lead. 

Later, NorthEast Zone had Tridev Boro (70+5′) put the issue beyond doubt. 

QUALIFIERS

Group-A: South Zone (4 points); East Zone (2 points) 

Group-B: North Zone (6 points); NorthEast Zone (3 points) 

RESULTS

South Zone: 3 (Gerald Mathew 33′; Vineeth Kumar 44′; Mohd. Liyakath 55′) beat Headquarters: 1 (Ajay Bisht 48′)

NorthEast Zone: 3 (S. Chinmuanthang 40′; Banpynkhraw Khonjee 70′; Tridev Boro 70+5′) beat West Zone: 1 (Hafiz Ur Rehman 70+4′- pen.).