Gujarat hold Rajasthan in Santosh Trophy qualifiers

Ahmedabad Jan 8 (IANS) Gujarat played out an emphatic 5-5 draw against Rajasthan in the inaugural Santosh Trophy qualifier tie at the TransStadia here on Monday.

Akshay Mall (11th minute 64th 68th) scored a hat-trick for Gujarat with Irfan Abbasi (38th) and Krushnapansinh Zala (81st) netting one goal apiece.

For Rajasthan Imran Khan netted a brace inside the initial four minutes which was followed by two goals from Utkarsh Kaushik (12th 42nd). The visitors captain Abhijitsingh Chundawat (56tt) scored the final one for the side.

The match saw Rajasthan leading 3-2 in the first-half. However Gujarat came from behind to net thrice and level things in the second half.

In the double-header on Tuesday Diu & Daman will play against Maharashtra while Madhya Pradesh face Lakshadweep.

--IANS
sam/dg