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Services downs Maharashtra

S.R. Suryanarayan

CHENNAI: Last year’s runner up Services did not need to look spectacular in its 1-0 win over Maharashtra in a Group ‘B’ match on Wednesday in the Santosh Trophy National football championship at the Nehru stadium.

With Maharashtra failing to show the zeal to get results, Services seemed content with the spot kick goal that came early in the match (12th minute) and played at half pace.

In short the lethargic match suited the muggy weather but was a poor exhibition for the sparse gathering.

Only the other day, Maharashtra had edged out Kerala in the pre-quarterfinal.

Today there was little to suggest it was the same team. The midfield hardly functioned though Asim Hassan was a game trier.

The frontline struggled with mis-passes and wasted opportunities that came Maharashtra’s way.

Skipper Steven Dias seemed to show more mercy than business when he made a feeble essay from close range midway in the second session.

Only minutes earlier Alex Thomas was through into the box with goalkeeper Robikanta Singh in front but stepped on the ball and slipped to lose the chance.

Credit has to go to the Services defence too where Dilip was outstanding and goalkeeper Robikanat agile as ever.

For Maharashtra the portents were bad from the way the defenders went for the tackles.

Rough approach

Anas Mohammed was positively rough in his approach and paid the price for his indiscretion in tripping Services skipper and striker Shajia D’Silva in the danger area.

Referee Pradeep had no hesitation in showing the spot even though Maharashtra players pleaded in vain. Laldingliana made no fuss with the conversion.

Constructive play from there on was few and far between. Wayward kicks, hefty clearances were but expected from Services spiced at times by Shajia’s and Mahesh Rai’s opportunism even as Maharashtra plight turned acute.

It was just as well for Maharashtra that Ralenga the Srinagar hero of Services rarely came into focus.

The result:

Services 1 (Laldingliana 12 pen) bt Maharashtra 0

Thursday’s matches: Manipur v West Bengal (4 p.m.); Tamil Nadu v Punjab (6.30 p.m.).

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