Tops Group, becomes first team to remain unbeaten    

Pune, 5th October: North Zone became the first team to enter the semifinals of the 53rd All India FCI Inter Zone Football Tournament, at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mhalunge- Balewadi.

On Saturday, North Zone scored their second win of the tournament defeating NorthEast Zone 3-1 to thus top Group-B with 6 points (2 wins). The other seminal slot will be decided from the West Zone vs NorthEast Zone encounter on Sunday.

North Zone were quick to get off the blocks scoring through Ashutosh Thapliyal (19’), later the goal tally was doubled when Joel Beckham Simon (25’) found the net to end the first half 2-0.

Changing ends, Bhaaranyu Bansal (43’) made it 3-0, before S. Chinmuanthang (63’) pulled one back for NorthEast Zone and completed the scoreline 3-1.

In the other match of the day, East Zone and South Zone played out a goalless (0-0) draw. East Zone completed their Group-A matches with 2 points (2 draws). The other semifinal slot will be decided from the Headquarters v South Zone encounter to be played on Sunday.

RESULTS

East Zone: 0 drew with South Zone: 0

North Zone: 3 (Ashutosh Thapliyal 19’, Joel Beckham Simon 25’, Bhaaranyu Bansal 43’) bt NorthEast Zone: 1 (S. Chinmuanthang 63’)