Patna: Patna Academy delivered a dominant performance in the first semi-final of the Rekha Rai Memorial Patna District Junior Division Football League, defeating Urja Turf FA 4-0 at the Sanjay Gandhi Stadium to secure their place in the final.
The match was largely one-sided, with Patna Academy asserting control early. Virat Kumar opened the scoring in the 9th minute, swiftly followed by Rajiv Kumar in the 11th and Deepak Kumar in the 19th minute. By half-time, the team had established an unassailable 3-0 lead.
In the second half, Umesh Vashki added to the tally with a goal shortly after play resumed, sealing the 4-0 victory. Urja Turf FA managed to tighten their defence and improve their forward play in the latter stages of the match but could not overturn the deficit.
Pankaj Kumar of Patna Academy was shown a yellow card in the 48th minute for a foul. Deepak Kumar’s stellar performance earned him the Player of the Match award, presented by senior footballer Abhitabh Rai.
The match was officiated by referees Shubham Kumar Sharma, Harendra Yadav, Sunil Kumar, and Amarjeet Kumar.
The second semi-final, scheduled for 29 January, will see Study and Sports FC face Sporting FC.