The Hindu : Sport / Football : Kerala downs AP in opener

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Monday, May 01, 2006

Sport

Sport - Football

Kerala downs AP in opener

Principal Correspondent

TIRUR: It may not have been the most convincing of starts to a campaign, but Kerala should be reasonably pleased with its efforts on Sunday in the opening match of the South Zone under-21 football championship. The host defeated Andhra Pradesh 2-0.

Both the goals came in the second half as the Andhra Pradesh defence fell apart. Feroz (54th minute) and O.K. Javeed (69th) were the scorers.

Andhra Pradesh's capitulation in the second half was surprising as they put up a decent fight in the first. Kerala indeed had the upper hand in the opening half too, but Andhra Pradesh had defended stoutly and was able to make a few promising moves into the rival territory as well.

Feroz scores

In the second half though, most of the game was played in the Andhra Pradesh half. It was a swift move down the left that resulted in Kerala's opening goal. Feroz, who came in as a substitute for R. Kannan, struck from close in after being fed by Sirajuddeen.

Then Javeed's goal ensured full points for Kerala. The talented striker, who must have been happy to return to the venue where he had a memorable outing for Malappuram XI in the recent all-India tournament, didn't waste the opportunity he got when the Andhra Pradesh goalkeeper Mohammed Nasir failed to stop a M.P. Sakkeer free kick from just outside the box.

Even in the early stages of the match, it was Kerala which looked keener to attack, putting pressure on the right wing and even breaking through the Andhra Pradesh defence on a couple of occasions inside the first 10 minutes.

Andhra Pradesh did try to counter-attack in the first half, and its striker Srinivas looked speedy and skilled. But the Kerala defence ensured that he did not do any real damage.

On Monday, reigning champion Karnataka takes on Pondicherry.

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