Stenis touthang

Swami Vivekananda U20 Men: Haryana and Kerala continued their winning run in Group D of the Swami Vivekananda U20 Men’s National Football Championship when they defeated Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, respectively, at the Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama ground on Sunday.

While Haryana had to fight it out to beat Gujarat 2-1, the task proved much easier for Kerala, who outclassed Andhra Pradesh 6-0 after leading by three goals at halftime. Haryana and Kerala will now meet on Tuesday to decide the group winners for a last-eight spot. Both teams have six points each, but Haryana are ahead on goal difference.

Haryana bagged their second straight win when they edged Gujarat 2-1 after a goalless first half. Gujarat had themselves to blame for leaving the ground empty-handed, as they put up a spirited fight and even missed a spot kick. Haryana defender Pawan put his team in the lead in the 49th minute with a curling free kick from the right side of the rival box that caught Gujarat goalkeeper Taksh Patel napping.