Faraz hat-trick leads SECR to semis in All India Football

NAGPUR: A spectacular hat-trick by ace forward Akib Faraz propelled South East Central Railway (SECR) to an emphatic 5-2 win over Southern Shire, Kolkata in the YMFC Centennial All India Football tournament at the Motibagh Stadium here on Wednesday.
Faraz struck in the 45+2nd, 52nd, 79th minutes to almost single-handedly guide SECR to semi-finals. Vasu Kanojiya and veteran Ayaz Ahmed chipped in with a goal each for the railmen.
Kolkata tried to fight back late in the match by scoring two goals but could not stop SECR from winning their third league match comfortably.
However, another local team Young Muslim FC faced defeat at the hands of formidable Air India. The Mumbai side drubbed hosts YMFC 2-0.
Earlier, ONGC, Mumbai notched up an easy 3-1 victory over Kalighat Milan Sangh.
In the first semi-final on Thursday, SECR will battle with ONGC at 2.30 pm.
RESULTS
ONGC, Mumbai 3 (Enock Annan 23rd min, Abuzar Khan 30th, V Lalchhunawana 58th min) beat Kalighat Milan Sangh 1 (Saha Alam 60th min).
SECRSA, Nagpur 5 (Vasu Kanojiya 2nd min, Akib Faraz 45+2nd, 52nd, 79th mins, Ayaz Ahmed 86th min) beat Southern Shire, Kolkata 2 (Mansook 82nd, 90+1st mins).
Air India 2 (Sunny Thakur 54th min, Neil Gaikwad 65th min) beat YMFC 0.
On Thursday
Semi-final: ONGC, Mumbai vs SECRSA Nagpur (2.30 pm).