Striker Abhishek Yadav scored a hat trick as Maharashtra overcame Services in a feast of goals during the quarter final league matche of the 60th Air India Express national football championship for Santosh trophy at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Friday.
In the first match, Kerala struggled against UP before winning 1-0, while in the second match Maharashtra scored a convincing 5-3 win over Services.
For Maharashtra Indian star Abhishek Yadav scored in the 27th, 37th, 76th minutes and Socor Velho scored two goals (41st and 48th).
For Services, Danny netted two goals (32th and 68th) and Thirunavukkarasu scored in the 67th minute.
The match between Maharashtra and Services witnessed a tug of war between the pacy Services attack and the solid never-say-die Maharashtra defence.
Services had the upperhand in the first 10 minutes and even threatend to score on a couple of occasions, but the Maharashtra defence led by Jinto Jose and Clifford Kilmo thwarted their attempts.
However, much against the run of the play, it was Maharashtra who took the lead in the 27th minute through a header by Abishek Yadav.
Services went all out for the equaliser and soon got their reward through striker Danny in the 32nd minute.
The hardworking Reghu Kumar of Services passed accurately and beat the Maharashtra defenders with his confident approach. However, his goodwork did not bring the desired results as his frontmen often lost position of the ball inside the goalmouth.
Meanwhile Maharashtra sprang to life and were a totally transformed team after the reversal. They played their heart out from then onwards and Abhishek helped his side to take the lead in the 37th minute through a header.
Hardly had the cheers died down, when striker Socor Velho increased the margin by a header. The spade work being done by Raut Khan.
Action was plenty in the second half with Servicesmen coming with renewed vigour and worrying the Maharashtra defence too often. They showed speed and ball control and managed to pierce the Maharashtra defence. However Maharashtra increased the margin on the 48th minute through a deflection by Services defender Poukillung into his own goal off a Velho cross.
Services scored through Thirunavukkarasu's long ranger, which beat Maharashtra goal keeper Israt Kamal hands down.
Danny scored his second goal in the 48th minute. However Maharashtra's Yadav came up with another goal in the 76th minute to complete a well deserved hatrick.
In the dying moments of the game Services went all out for a goal but Israt Kamal thwarted their attempts.
