DSK Shivajians-LIFA bow out of Subroto Cup

DSK Shivajians-Liverpool International Football Academy (LIFA) bowed out of the Subroto Cup here on Thursday going down 0-2 to Indonesias Jalan Harsono RM Komplek in the boys under-17 category.

After a goalless first half, a quick-fire second half brace, in the 55th and 57th minutes, by Egi Maulana ensured that the Indonesians took all three points from the clash.

A solid defensive display in the first half was the highlight for both the teams as scoring chances were hard to come by.

Following the goals in the second half, DSK Shivajians-LIFA tried to force the issue but fell short.

The red carding of Seikhohao Haokip in the 69th minute added to the woes of DSK Shivajians-LIFA who ended the match with 10-men on the ground.

DSK Shivajians-LIFA started the match on a positive note as Asraf Mondal broke through on the left flank and delivered a weighed cross into the box. Laldawndkima did well to get on the end of the cross, but his resulting header was off the target.

Laldawndkima was in the thick of things again midway through the first half when he found Omkar More with a low cross, but the latter could not get a clean touch and his shot went wide of goal.

The first half ended goalless after both the teams were engaged in a physical midfield battle throughout.

DSK Shivajians-LIFA's best chance of the match fell to Umer Sayed, who controlled the ball on the edge of the box, dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a powerful drive which was inches wide of the goal post.

Jalan Harsono won a free-kick in a promising position in the 55th minute of the match. Taking a leaf out of their training ground, the free-kick taker passed the ball to a charging Egi Maulana, who then controlled the ball and slotted it in the back of the net for his team to take the lead in the match.

Two minutes later, Egi Maulana scored his second of the match after beating Tapas Pal on the wing and cutting inside before unleashing a shot at goal, which the goalkeeper failed to divert, hence, doubling the Indonesian side's lead.

DSK Shivajians-LIFA's attempts of a comeback were thwarted one minute from time when Seikhohao Haokip was shown the red card for a diving tackle on the opponent, leaving the team one man short.

--IANS

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