The Hindu : Sport / Football : Pradeep stars in Kerala's victory

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Monday, Oct 16, 2006
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Pradeep stars in Kerala's victory

Rakesh Rao

Kerala pleasantly surprised by the large turnout of its fans

GURGAON: N. P. Pradeep's twin-strike in the second half scripted Kerala's 3-1 victory over Tamil Nadu in a Group `B' quarterfinal league match of the 61st National football championship for the Santosh Trophy at the Devilal Stadium here on Sunday.

The 23-year-old, who plays mostly as a halfback in the Indian team, was simply brilliant upfront on this day. His goals helped the former champion break the half-time deadlock of 1-1. Underdog Tamil Nadu, which started well, conceded a goal against the run of the play and lost the momentum. Though it did well to find the equaliser, Kerala surely stamped its authority in the second session.

After taking time to settle down, Kerala struck in the 13th minute. Skipper Abdul Hakeem darted down the centre and took a shot at the goal that was blocked by an onrushing goalkeeper V. P. Sathish Kumar. However, the deflection made it easy for an unmarked Abdul Naushad to put the ball into an unguarded goal.

Equaliser

Tamil Nadu equalised in the 25th minute when Koluthungan headed in a free-kick from Jestus Antony.

The second session was dominated by Kerala that relied more on the attacking from the flanks than trying to penetrate down the middle.

Kerala made it 2-1 following a 50th-minute free-kick taken by R. Rajesh. As the ball sailed into the box, Pradeep dived and headed in.

Beauty of a goal

Pradeep's second goal, in the 78th minute, was a beauty. He moved in from the right flank, weaved his way past a defender and sent in a diagonal right-footer from close to the right post. The ball caught the fingers of a diving Sathish Kumar and rebounded into the goal after kissing the far post.

"I think my boys played well and utilised all three opportunities that came their way," said a visibly satisfied K. Bharatan, coach of the Kerala team. Tamil Nadu coach V. Soundarajan admitted that Kerala was indeed the better team on the day. "I would have happy with a 1-1 draw or even a one-goal margin of defeat. But I feel, we still have a chance to qualify if we do well against Maharashtra and Karnataka."

Punjab stuns Goa

Earlier late on Saturday, Punjab rocked defending champion Goa's boat by pumping in a goal in each half.

Punjabstruck in the 43rd minute. Following Hardeep Saini's free-kick, Sukhjinder Singh did the needful. The former champion doubled the lead in the 79th minute.

Monday's fixtures: Punjab v Haryana (4.45 p.m.); Goa v Bengal (7 p.m.).

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