The Hindu : Sport / Football : SBT snaps its losing streak

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Thursday, Apr 14, 2005

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Sport - Football

SBT snaps its losing streak

Sports Reporter

KOZHIKODE: SBT finally tasted victory after losing seven of its last eight matches in the ONGC NFL, with a 4-1 verdict over Vasco at the Corporation Stadium here on Wednesday.

Despite the convincing win, SBT finds itself sharing the bottom place with Vasco, both having just 13 points from 17 games and both hoping for a miracle to avoid relegation.

This was only the third win for the bankmen in the league this year, and easily the biggest. SBT's beleaguered coach, N.M. Najeeb, must've felt a frightening sense of deja vu when Sidney Santana Rodrigues found the equaliser for the visitor from the spot, 10 minutes into the second half, with what was the seventh goal of the season for the Brazilian.

SBT went on the rampage after that Vasco goal, scoring three times inside the last 20 minutes.

Pradeep sizzles

The Bankmen drew first blood from a superbly taken free-kick by N.P. Pradeep in the 29th minute. SBT looked well in control before Paul Antony's foul on K. Anees gave the Goans a penalty kick and hopes of a recovery. But Man of the Match, M.A. Abdul Hakkim, had other ideas. His brilliant run down the left flank from his own half and a square pass resulted in the second goal for SBT with M. Mohammed Rafi finishing the job well in the 70th minute.

The next goal came 13 minutes later, through a superb header by substitute S. Anil Kumar. Then T. Asif Saheer, who worked tirelessly to create openings, completed the tally in stoppage time.

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