Indian men enter football quarterfinals

By Ravi Kant Singh Oct 14, 2007, 17:10 GMT

Hyderabad, Oct 14 (IANS) India defeated Afghanistan 1-0 in men's football to qualify for the quarterfinals from Group B at the Army Ordnance Corps ground here Sunday.

Havildar A. Nguruilal scored India's match-winner just five minutes into the game as the home side hung on for all three points from the encounter. The score could have been much better but for the string of missed chances by the Indians.

In the other Group B encounter, Qatar shocked Brazil 3-1 at the 1 EME Centre ground to make the last eight grade.

Nasir Anas opened the scoring for the Qataris in the seventh minute as the winners went into the interval 1-0 ahead. Soon after the change of ends Ilyas Abdulqadir (67th) and Albaraja Moussa (77th) ensured Qatar's victory and the top position in the group.

Brazil managed to pull a goal back in the 78th minute through A. Marcus to become the number two team from Group B.

India took third place in the group and qualified for the quarterfinals as one of the two best third placed teams in the competition.

In Group A matches, Egypt trounced Ireland 7-0 and Guinea Republic downed Canada 4-0.

The Egyptians took first place in the group winning all their three league games followed by Guinea and Ireland who also made the quarterfinals.

Abdul Mahmoud got a hat trick and A. Bassyoni slammed two, while Eid A. Ahmed and Ibrahem Mohseen completed the tally for Egypt at the 1 EME Centre ground.

After a scoreless first half, Guinea seemed to find their feet at the MCEME ground, scoring through Mamoudou Mara, Lamine B. Mohamed, Wandel Momo and Sory Ibrahima against the hapless Canadians.

North Korea finished on top of Group C with a 3-1 win over Germany at the MCEME ground, scoring through S. Han, Y. Kim and K. Kim. The Germans reduced the margin through A. Gerdes but it was not enough to make it to the knockout quarterfinals.

Cameroon took second place in Group B with two points, one more than the Germans and made the last eight grade along with the North Koreans.

In the women's football competition that kicked off Sunday, North Korea thrashed the US 4-0 at the Artillery Centre ground in nearby Golconda. Y. Kim scored twice and U. Ri and K. Ri added one each for the winners.

In the Group B encounter also played at Golconda, the Netherlands emerged 4-0 winners over Canada, scoring through Leoni Tromp, M. Kelly, Tuel Nicolle and K. Judith. France are the third team in the group.

Women's football is the only medal event without any Indian participation.

© 2007 Indo-Asian News Service