ST JOHN’S Academy registered a narrow 1-0 win over Star Football Academy to sneak into the quarter-finals of Kick Flicks Under-13 Football tournament being played at Dr Ambedkar Football Stadium in Suyog Nagar. St John’s needed a win to move into the last eight and they finished second in Group D with 10 points, same as Shree Football Academy. But the Mohan Nagar based Academy’s solitary goal win on Wednesday helped them pip Shree FC on goal difference. St John’s ended with a goal difference of +8 as compared to Shree FC +5. The Group D is topped by DDYS who recorded four out of four wins to earn 12 points.

 

From Group A, SK Porwal (10 points) and Nobel Sports Academy (9) made it to quarters while from Group B SFS (10) and Xcite Play (8) made it to last eight. From Group C Sportian FC (13) and NDFA (8) moved into knock-outs while from Group DDYS (13) and St John’s Academy (10) completed the list. St John’s had to toil hard to score a goal as Star FC managed to hold them to a goalless draw in the first half. However, a pep talk during the lemon break from coach Savio Andrew, changed the fortune for the team.

 

A brilliant team work from St John’s saw them surge ahead in the 31st minute. A through pass from midfielder Ashmit Pramanik was well collected by Sahil Samudre on the edge of rectangle who tapped the ball towards an unmarked Joseph. The striker made no mistake in bulging the ball with a right footer. In the other inconsequential match, SE Railway blanked Achievers Academy 2-0. Both the goals were scored by Zubaid Amin in 5th and 30th minute.