A 10-man Services held off a late resurgence from Mizoram for a narrow 2-1 win in the first semifinal of the 77th National Football Championships for the Santosh Trophy here on Thursday.
Rahul Ramakrishnan and substitute Bikash Thapa scored one apiece in eihter half to give Services the two goal lead. Substitute Malsawmfela pulled one back for Mizoram in injury-time but failed to fetch the equalizer as Services successfully thwarted the late surge from the North-East powerhouse. The win took the six-time champion Services to its 12th final in the long history of the tournament.
Services controlled the proceedings from the very start and appeared more cohesive in its attacks and defensive organisation. Services had a chance in the first quarter of the action, but Mizoram’s defence countered the offensive that saw Vijay J. moving close to the goal.
