The Hindu : Sport / Football : Renil scores winner

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 09, 2004

Sport

Sport - Football

Renil scores winner

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, OCT. 8. An injury time goal by striker C.J. Renil carried Thiruvananthapuram into the final of the 32nd State junior football championship at the University stadium here on Friday.

The host called the shots from the start against Kottayam. The match appeared to go into the penalties when Renil produced a piece of brilliance that stunned his rival. After receiving the ball on the right flank, Renil outpaced his markers and unleashed a right footer from an acute angle. The ball thudded into the far post past the out-stretched hands of the goalkeeper.

Thiruvananthapuram was the better side as it had the major share of the possession. But most of the moves initiated by Thiruvananthapuram fizzled out as it neared the rival box. The Thiruvananthapuram's strikers Renil and P. Roy should shoulder some of the blame as they were found wanting in converting the chances that came their way. But credit should also be given to the Kottayam defence which did not allow any leeway to the Thiruvananthapuram strikers.

Despite dominating the show in the first half, Thiruvananthapuram's best chance came at the fag end of the first-half. A header from Renil beat the goalkeeper but the ball was saved on the goalline by a Kottayam defender.

The trend continued in the second half with the Kottayam defence holding fort until Renil's strike. Thiruvananthapuram will meet the winner of the second semifinal between Kozhikode and Kasaragod.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport