The Hindu : Sport / Football : SBT holds Mohun Bagan

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Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

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Sport - Football

SBT holds Mohun Bagan

By Our Sports Reporter

KOZHIKODE, APRIL 5. State Bank of Travancore has gone without a win in the ONGC NFL so far. On an overcast Tuesday evening, the bankmen, however, managed to avoid a loss for the first time in their last seven games, as they held former champion Mohun Bagan 1-1.

SBT's coach N.M. Najeeb said he was pleased to a take a point off a formidable rival and to finally end the losing spree. "The lack of tournament practice continues to be a big problem for my boys," he said. "We need more exposure."

The new Bagan coach, Amal Dutta, who took over from Subrata Bhattacharya only recently, didn't plead for such exposure, but said he was more than happy with a draw from an away match. "Especially after trailing for most of the game," he said.

Incidentally the teams had drawn when they met in Kolkata in February. The score then too was 1-1.

SBT remains at the bottom of the 12-team competition after 15 games. With only seven matches left, it has 10 points, three behind Vasco.

Bagan, now with 17 points, has climbed one slot up to replace Salgoacar in the seventh place. The team showed a lot of grit, after conceding a goal inside the 18th minute.

The goal came almost against the run of play, and in fortuitous circumstances, as M.A. Abdul Hakkim somehow managed to find the net after the Bagan goalkeeper Subrata Paul was unsighted by his own teammate.

Subrata, though, did bring off some excellent saves after that and was named Man of the Match. "Subrata did very well today," said his coach. "He showed that he's good enough to do duty for India."

SBT pressed hard for another goal and seemed to be gaining in confidence. But, the visiting side never really gave up, and in the 71st minute found the equaliser, through an Eduwardo Chacon header off a freekick taken by Mehtab Hossain.

Bagan should have scored more, but it wasted a dozen corner kicks.

Bagan next plays Mahindra United on April 9, while SBT takes on Dempo here on April 10.

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