- NARAINPUR — Sports
Authority of India (SAI) moved into the quarterfinals of the Swami Vivekananda
U20 Men's National Football Championship (NFC) from Group G after they played
out a goalless draw against Goa at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground on
Tuesday. In the other match of Group G, Assam beat Odisha 2-1.
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- SAI finished the Group G campaign with seven points from
three matches and will meet the winners of Group H in the quarterfinals on
Friday (April 25, 2025). Goa came second in the group with five points,
followed by Assam (three points) and Odisha (one point).
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- In a well-contested match, SAI, who needed a draw to make
the last eight, enjoyed the upper hand in attacks, but could not break a
resolute Goa defence, especially the goalkeeper Reihan Gomes. The Goa custodian
thwarted the SAI attackers with a few fine saves.
Also read: U20 men's football c’ship: Nagaland beat Bengal 1-0
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- Goa needed a win to qualify, but they failed to create
enough chances in the SAI goalmouth despite desperate attempts in the second
half.
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- Assam took a firm grip over the match in the first half,
scoring twice through Ashish Chetry. The striker opened the scoring in the 13th
minute when he grabbed the ball inside the box to find the target with a low
shot. His second goal in the 38th minute was a perfect right-footer that packed
into the net.
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- Odisha pulled one back in the 79th minute when Assam
defender Fulung Brahma accidentally put the ball in his own net while trying to
head it out of danger from inside the box.
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- Earlier on Sunday, the Sports Authority of India defeated
Odisha 3-0 on the second matchday of Group G in the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men's
National Football Championship. In the other match, Goa beat Assam 2-1. SAI are
now placed at the top in Group G with six points, followed by Goa with four
points and Odisha with one, while Assam are yet to grab any. Only the group
winners will book their place in the quarter-final.
