A second-half brace from captain Monu Singh kept Delhi’s chances of a Final Round berth alive as they downed Chandigarh by three goals in their North Zone Group A qualifier for the 68th Santosh Trophy 2014 at the Ambedkar Stadium on Saturday.

Midfielder Vikas Rawat netted the other goal of the match as the hosts logged their first full points in the qualifiers. Delhi had lost to Uttarakhand 2-3 in the opening match.

A long throw from the hosts’ left back Abhishek Rawat found Monu on top of the box. The midfielder then rifled home a volley after initial attempt came off a defender.

Vikas Singh doubled the tally 13 minutes later sweeping in a grounder after he was set up by Mahender Singh inside the six-yard box.

The skipper then capped a good half for Delhi as he sent a rasping right footed half-volley crashing in the back of the net in injury time.

Monu could have taken the lead in the 63rd minute had his half volley not rattled off the upright.

In the first period, Chandigarh saw more of the ball with Pawandeep Singh pulling the strings well in the middle of the park. Of his two set ups inside the area, Chandigarh striker Rajan Negi shot wide and over respectively.

The best chance of the half though fell to the hosts. Monu Singh crossed from the left for Ashu Nathani who had to tap in to find the back of the net. The right winger shot over first time.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)