Kerala   

SBT bites the dust again

FOOTBALL ANTICLIMAX: Crowd invading the Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode during the final match between State Bank of Travancore and Viva Kerala.

After ignoring most of the State football league, held in Kozhikode earlier this month, spectators came in a fairly large number to the Corporation Stadium to watch the final match between State Bank of Travancore (SBT) and Viva Kerala.

A section of the crowd invaded the field and obstructed the penalty shoot-out, as the match was tied 2-2. The shoot-out had to be abandoned. The winner was later decided on a draw of lots. Viva Kerala emerged winners. "The crowd meant no harm, I guess. They just wanted to watch the drama of the tie-breakers from close quarters, which they do in the `sevens' tournaments. But the spectators should know that a shoot-out cannot be conducted while they are on the ground," says Kozhikode District Football Association (KDFA).

Fencing, then, is the only solution. "We will request the Corporation to build the fence at the stadium as soon as possible," says Ashraf.

As for the SBT players, they must be wondering if their luck would ever change. In last year's final in Thrissur, they lost to the fellow Thiruvannathapuram team, KSEB, in the penalty shoot-out.

P.K. AJITH KUMAR

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