Army Jr beat AHBAB FC 3-0 in Durand Cup qualifier

New Delhi: Leading by example, captain Arjun Tudu scored a hat-trick to help Army Juniors beat AHBAB FC 3-0 in the qualifying match of the ONGC Durand Football tournament at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Saturday.

Tudu scored in the 22nd, 44th and 84th minute of the game to romp his side home. The Army side displayed an all-out attacking game from the start and their dividends paid off in the 22nd minute when Tudu found the target from midfielder Santosh Thapa pass from the right flank.In 39th minute, AHBAB FC got a golden opportunity to level the scores but striker Faisal’s shot, from inside the circle, was way over the bar. Army Juniors doubled their lead at the stoke of the half time with in-form Tudu finding the back of AHBAB net from his strike partner Diwas Subba’s intelligent pass. After the change of ends, AHBAB tried to force their way back into the match with some good passing but what did them in was their forwards’ finishing. In the 60th minute, off-guard AHBAB striker David hit the ball straight into Army goalkeeper Buta Singh’s hands after he was set by defender Manoj Yadav. AHBAB pressed hard for goals in the second session but an alert Army defence thwarted their efforts on all occasions. However, it was Army skipper Tudu who scored his hat-trick in the 84th minute against the run of the play to seal the match in his side’s favour. Bureau Report