New Delhi: North Eastern English School, Manipur rode on a double strike from skipper Md Ajaruddin Shah to blank newcomers MSP Mallapuram, Kerala 4-0 in the U-14 Group A encounter of the Subroto Cup inter-school football tournament at the B R Ambedkar stadium here today.
The 54th edition of Asia`s oldest inter-school tournament was earlier inaugurated with a crisp but impressive opening ceremony.
Four matches were also played on the opening day.
The Kerala outfit, who had fielded an U-14 team for the first time after their U-17 side reached the final last year, and was expected to put up a fight in front of a capacity crowd but failed to impress.
Manipur dominated the proceedings throughout and Ajaruddin opened their account in the 21st minute.
The son of a postmaster virtually killed the competition in the 38th minute with a well converted penalty. Tom Cruise (35) and Sheih Einul Hague (49) completed the tally for the North Eastern side.
In the day`s other match, Sikkim`s Tashi Namgyal Academy blanked GSS MUS, Car Nicobar 5-0.
The Gangtok team, which idolises former India skipper and school alumni Baichung Bhutia, scored through Sidhant (8th), Karma Loday (10p, 40) and Tendong (12, 16).
Results (U-14):
North Eastern School, Manipur 4 (Md Ajaruddin 21, 38; Tom Cruise 35; Sheih Einul Hague 49) bt MSP Malappuram, Kerala 0
Tashi Namgyal Academy, Gangtok, Sikkim 5 (Sidhant 8, Karma Loday 10p, 40, Tendong 12, 16) bt GSS MUS, Car Nicobar 0
Krishnadevpur High School, Burdwan West Bengal 9 (Sayam Das 7, 24; Sourab Sardar 20, 30, 31; Mohd Ali 36; Ishan Paul 38, 40; Bishwanth Karmakar 47) bt Govt. Senior Secondary School, Lakshwadeep 0.
PTI
