Mizoram, Delhi, Tripura and Tamil Nadu won their first matches in the Santosh Trophy 2009 tournament while Chattisgarh and Chandigarh had to settle for a draw.
Cluster I: Chattisgarh and Chandigarh failed to capitalize on the chances that came their way and had to be contend with a point each on Sunday. Chattisgarh were better off the two teams as they had better ball possession but their forwards lacked the experience and failed to convert the chances that they had.
Cluster III: Mizoram dominated in the game against Pondichery and took the lead as early as the 16th minute. Rohming Thanga scored the opener for Mizoram and Jeje Laleekhlua, Lalmuanpuia and Zaidinmawia Hamr followed.
Cluster V: Despite having Sunil Chettri in their ranks Delhi failed to overcome the power of Railways as they emerged victorious by a solitary goal in the cluster V match at the Thiruvallore. Abhishek found the lone goal for the Railways.
Cluster VIII: Undoubtedly, the match of the day happened when the hosts Tamil Nadu took on Rajasthan. Tamil Nadu started the match on an attacking note and never allowed their opponent to take the control of the game. Tamil Nadu found the opening net in the 14^(th)minute as Riju got the ball past Rajasthan custodian. They ended the first half with 3-0 scoreline and went on to demolish Rajasthan by another 4 goals in the second period.
The north eastern state Tripura defeated Himachal Pradesh 2-0 to take 3 points in thee other Cluster VIII match of the evening on the opening day of the national football tournament.
Results:
Chattisgarh 0-0 Chandigarh
Mizoram 4-0 Pondicherry
Railways 1-0 Delhi
Tamil Nadu 7-0 Rajasthan
Tripura 2-0 Himachal Pradesh
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 24 May 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.