MARGAO
Assam lost 0-1 to Madhya Pradesh in a Group B fixture of the 37th Sub-Junior National Football Championship on Monday at the Ambedkar Stadium in New Delhi.
A dominant performance by Assam failed to grab dividends as they were left reeling for not finishing their chances, even after creating plenty. Apart from a seventh-minute shot which flew inches wide of the goal, Madhya Pradesh mostly soaked up pressure and tried to thwart numerous Assamese attacks on their citadel.
In the 10th minute, Gogoi’s free-kick for Assam from the edge of the 18 yard box rattled the crossbar and went out. With Assam increasing the tempo of the game and attacking in hordes, Madhya Pradesh committed bodies in defence.
In the 31st minute, however, a corner kick scenario could have turned into a potential opening goal for Assam had Saikia not slotted his volley wide of the goal. But the best chance of the game for Assam came six minutes later, when a cross from the right flank found an unmarked Gogoi in the 18 yard box. Gogoi, from handshaking distance failed to tap the ball in as Madhya Pradesh survived another scare.
After the half-time scoreline read 0-0, Assam upped their ante and second into the second half, they breached the Madhya Pradesh defence line, but were left reeling as the finishing shot was scooped wide of the goal.
In the 61st minute, a rasping Joydeep Gogoi shot was cleared by the Madhya Pradesh defence line. Shortly after, Madhya Pradesh could have taken the lead against the run of play but Assam’s custodian made a top-draw save to deny them. In the 64th minute, Assam were punished for not capitalising on their opportunities as Madhya Pradesh took the lead as they scored following a corner kick scenario.
Assam found the net in the 74th minute but the referee flagged it offside. Madhya Pradesh committed bodies in defence and saw out the match as the full-time scoreline read 1-0 in their favour.
