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Escobar’s strike helps JCT win
JCT started their campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Sporting Club De Goa in the quarter-finals of the 121st Osian Durand Cup which began on Thursday, reports Sahil Sharma.
JCT started their campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Sporting Club De Goa in the quarter-finals of the 121st Osian Durand Cup which began at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Thursday. Both teams were seeded into the round of eight.
JCT came back from an early deficit to take full points. Sporting Clube found the net in the 19th minute after JCT goalkeeper Karanjeet Singh messed up allowing an easy tap-in for Lavino Fernandes.
Stung by the reverse, JCT, led by Brazilian forward Eduardo Escobar, replied with a spectacular goal in the 23rd minute through Baljit Sahni. With the teams locked 1-1 at half-time, JCT increased the tempo after the breather and nosed ahead through Pawan Kumar 58th minute strike, off a perfect cross from the inspirational Escobar.
Escobar hit the bar from point-blank range and in the 62nd minute, JCT put the final nail in the coffin when Baldeep Singh blasted home. "It is a good start to the tournament, but we have still work on maintaining possession. I think in the second half we were giving away possession very easily", said JCT coach Sukhwinder Singh.
Air India held
Air India and Tata Football Academy, who qualified from the pre-quarterfinals, played out a barren draw in the day's first match.
TFA should be thankful to their goalkeeper Jagroop Singh for keeping them in the game. The 18-year-old made five to six spectacular saves.
