The Hindu : Sport : Indian Bank keeps alive its hopes of qualifying for final round

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 11, 2005

Sport

Sport

Indian Bank keeps alive its hopes of qualifying for final round

Special Correspondent

Border Security Force earns first points beating Karnataka Police team

FIGHTING IT OUT: Indian Bank's Raman Singh (left) is challenged by Sajid Ansari of BMFC. — Photo: Vino John

CHENNAI: With its second consecutive win, a 2-0 effort over Bengal-Mumbai FC, local favourite Indian Bank kept alive hopes of qualifying for the final round from Group A even as it inched closer to the current leaders HAL and Air-India in the NFL second division.

At the midway stage, HAL and Air-India with seven points each are just one point ahead of Indian Bank. Interesting days are ahead as the race hots up for the two qualifiers berth.

The Nehru Stadium on Tuesday was a veritable furnace with the city temperature shooting up. But it was the heat of the competition that the local team was keen to experience.

After the first match loss the other day, Indian Bank has been on a comeback mode. As in the earlier match, Amulraj was in focus as he prowled around the rival goal end. Came the 11th minute and the moment of joy for Indian Bank when a Raman Singh centre (the young man from Manipur has settled down well for the Bank) found Amulraj's head for goal number one.

Presenting a disjointed look, with the attack more in fits and starts, BMFC hardly looked convincing. Worse, the Mumbai frontline comprising Tikken Singh, Anil Pawar (later Md. Islam), Sagar Thappa and Rueben D'Souza showed needless penchant for making hasty tries.

Contrasting approach

In pleasing contrast was the Bank's planned approach. James played a withdrawn role initially to assist Gregory Clark and the pattern of play looked positive.

Not surprisingly Joseph, Raman Singh and Amulraj made some inspiring runs into the BMFC territory. Close to half-time, Amulraj missed the rectangle by a whisker after hoodwinking goalkeeper Ethesham Ahmed.

Nonetheless the Bankmen returned after the change over on a determined note. Amulraj's thigh strain brought Sabir Pasha early onto the field to lend sharpness. Meanwhile, BMFC continued to struggle, though an occasional foray by Tikken or Islam had the potential for trouble but goalkeeper Felix was confident.

In the 81st minute, Pasha's pass to Raman Singh returned in the form of a low cross for James to thump the ball into the cage and Indian Bank had signalled its intent loud and clear.

Earlier, BSF earned its first points after a 2-0 win over Karnataka Police. Sunil Vergil (18th) and substitute Kamal Kishore (82nd) were the scorers.

Wednesday is a rest day.

PTI reports from Jamshedpur

Mohd. Sporting wins

Mohammedan Sporting, Kolkata registered its second consecutive win defeating Hindustan Football Club, Delhi 2-0 in a Group B match at Jamshedpur.

Mohammedan Sporting's striker Raman Vijayan, who substituted Malsawama in the 41st minute received a pass from mid-fielder Amjad Hussain and dribbled past the rival defence line to score in the 72nd minute.

Parkesh Loley, who came in for Amjad, chipped the ball to Zubair who converted it through a header in the 88th minute.

With this win, Mohammedan Sporting and Punjab Police have seven points from three outings, while Hindustan FC has four points from three matches

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