Maharashtra defeat Chandigarh 2-1 in Santosh Trophy

Maharashtra do well to down Chandigarh for first victory

Mumbai, March 23: Maharashtra bounced back to winning ways as they defeated Chandigarh 2-1 for their first win in Group-A league of the 72^nd Santosh Trophy at the Rabindra Sarobar Stadium, a cording to information received from Kolkata on Friday.

Having suffered a defeat against West Bengal in the opening match, Maharashtra put behind that setback and made a positive start against Chandigarh. They settled down quickly and forged ahead through Shubham Khanvilkar’s strike in the very 5^th minute and doubled the lead four minutes laterthrough a fine goal from skipper Dion Menezes. Chandigarh who tried hard managed to get a consolation goal through Vishal Sharma in the 88^th minute

The team from the western part of the country were dominant from the outset and after Advait Shinde lost control while try to move deep the ball came to Khanvilkar who quickly pounced on the opportunity a deftly chipped over an advancing Chandigarh goalkeeper Manvir Singh to put Maharashtra in front.

Later, the captain Menezes intercepted a ball just inside his territory and without hesitation unleashed a long shot which caught the rival goalkeeper Manvir off his line and hhe could only watch the ball sail over his head and nestle into the back of the net in the 9^th minute and Maharashtra managed to hold on to their 2-0 cushion till the end of the first half.

On resumption, Chandigarh showed more urgency and created more of the goal-scoring chances. After both the Maharashtra defence and managed to get a goal back when Sharma picked up the rebound after Vivek Rana’s attempt was blocked by Maharashtra custodian late in the match.

Maharashtra now have 3 points and next play Kerala and Chandigarh, with only one point from three outings, next play Bengal on Sunday.

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