The Hindu : Sport / Football : FC Nania in semifinals

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Apr 11, 2007
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FC Nania in semifinals

M.R. Praveen Chandran

KANNUR: A brilliant 35-yard free-kick and a gift goal were enough for FC Nania, Ghana to seal a place in the semifinals of the E.K. Nayanar Memorial Gold Cup international football tournament at the Municipal Jawahar stadium here on Tuesday.

FC Nania defeated Vasco Goa 2-1 to record its second straight win in the tournament. Captain Addy Khalil curled in a powerful 35-yard left-footer past the Vasco defence and the goalkeeper in the 11th minute. The Vasco goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani, who gave a good account of himself under the bar with a few brilliant saves, bloated his copybook by allowing an innocuous floater from Aidoo Daniel to slip out of his hands at the start of the second half. Nartey Ebenezer who was prowling inside the penalty box latched on to the loose ball and scored.

The Goans, who finished fourth in the second division NFL, got a consolation goal in the 86th minute. Substitute Rehman Cardozo, who got a free ball from a long clearance, lobbed it over the on-rushing goalkeeper to enliven the proceeding in the final minutes.

At the start it was a familiar story with the Ghanaians overwhelming their rivals with their speed and skill. Rahim Kofi Ayew showed a clean pair of heels to the Vasco defenders. Ayew took the first shot at the target in the fifth minute but Vasco goalkeeper Laxmikant made a reflex save. A foul on Natary Ebnezer earned FC Nania a free-kick which was converted brilliantly by Addy Khalil in the 11th minute. However, Ghanaians failed to do justice to their domination. Babamu Yusif missed two open chances and Kattimani brought out a good save to deny Ayew.

The domination of the Ghana players continued in the second half. A fine one two by Ebenzer and Adioo Daniel saw Ebenzer enter the box and shoot. But the goal hit the bar and bounced out in the 68th minute.

The Ghana players in the quest for more goals let their guard down for a second which paved way for the Vasco goal. A long clearance by the Goan defence saw the ball land awkwardly in front of Rehman Cardoza. The uneven bounce hoodwinked the defender who was marking the Goan striker and Rehman showed good presence of mind to lob the ball over the on-rushing goalkeeper into the empty net.

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