The Hindu : Sport : Viva Kerala rides on Anil Kumar's brace

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Saturday, Mar 10, 2007
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Viva Kerala rides on Anil Kumar's brace

Principal Correspondent

KOCHI: Booed by the crowd for missing several chances in the first half, P.K. Anil Kumar redeemed himself with two opportunistic strikes in the second as Viva Kerala blanked Jammu and Kashmir Bank 3-0 in their ONGC second division NFL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Friday.

The KSEB striker, on loan to the Kochi club, messed up at least three clear chances in the first half.

His fellow striker Baba Tunde also failed to distinguish himself frittering away several chances.

Wayward finishing

Viva's wayward finishing combined with luck enabled the bankmen keep a clean slate at half-time. Things didn't appear to get any better in the second half, with Tunde heading out a cross from Anil Kumar in the opening minutes.

By then the bankmen had become too defensive and didn't show any interest in launching a serious attempt at the rival goal.

Odd counter-attacks

Though there were the odd counter-attacks from the Jammu side it was aimed more at transferring the pressure from its half.

It took Viva Kerala 65 minutes to break the deadlock. The spadework for the goal was done by Denson Devadas whose long ball came to an unmarked Anil Kumar who was provided enough space and time by the Jammu defence. The striker lobbed the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper for the opening goal.

Perked up

The goal perked up the local side. After a darting run into the penalty box Anil Kumar lost the ball to a hard tackle but Baba Tunde latched on to it and volleyed in.

Tunde had another look at the rival goal when his 20-yard left-footer hit the far post and went out of play in the 80th minute.

Opportunistic strike

Anil Kumar completed the tally with an opportunistic strike in the 86th minute.

Viva Kerala with this win took its points tally to four from two matches while Jammu and Kashmir Bank suffered its second straight defeat.

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