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The first edition of the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National Football Championship 2024 got off to a flying start at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama Ground in Narainpur, Chhattisgarh, on Friday, April 12, 2024.
The tournament kicked off with two Group E matches. While Uttarakhand beat Punjab 3-1, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu played out a 1-1 draw in the tournament opener.
West Bengal 1-1 Tamil Nadu
(WB: Rahul Naskar 34′; TN: Lijo Eujin Thatheyus 72′)
West Bengal scored the first-ever goal in the Swami Vivekananda Men’s NFC in the 34th minute when Rahul Naskar tapped the rebound into the open net after Shibam Munda’s initial attempt was saved by goalkeeper Ajay Kumar. Tamil Nadu’s equaliser also came thanks to a rebound in the 72nd minute. Defender Nishak E’s curling free-kick hit the post and fell kindly onto the path of substitute Lijo Eujin Thatheyus, who passed it into the net with ease.
Uttarakhand 3-1 Punjab
UK: Ekmeet Singh 9′ og, Rodu Duo 34′, Boinao Singh 47′; P: Arshpreet Singh 67′)
Uttarakhand took pole position in Group E after matchday 1, easing past Punjab 3-1 in the afternoon kick-off. Bir Singh’s side took an early lead in the ninth minute as Anshul Rawat’s cross from the left was flicked into his own net by Punjab defender Ekmeet Singh in an attempt to clear the ball. Rodu Duo doubled Uttarakhand’s lead in the 34th minute as he tucked in Boinao Singh’s cutback from six yards out.
Boinao then scored himself just two minutes into the second half, slotting in Harsh Chhimwal’s great pass from the by-line. Punjab got a consolation goal in the 67th minute as Arshpreet Singh took full advantage of Uttarakhand failing to clear the danger in their box with a left-footed strike from close range.
On Saturday, April 13, Group C will begin, with Uttar Pradesh facing Ladakh at 07h30 and Karnataka taking on Jharkhand at 15h30.
