Indian Bank, Vasco hold the edge

MARGAO, MARCH 20. Indian Bank looks favourite to garner full points when they lock horns with Indian National Football Club (INFC) in their opening encounter of the four teams inter-group second division National league of the Goa leg being played at Fatorda tomorrow.

In another match, being played at Vasco ground here tomorrow, Vasco Club looks firm favourite to beat Hindustan Aeronautic Limited (HAL), Bangalore.

Indian Bank, which qualified for this round along with HAL, topped its group beating HAL 2-1, Pondicherry Police 5-0 and Youngster from Chandigarh 4-0.

While HAL, which finished second behind Indian Bank, beat Pondicherry XI 4-1, Youngster Club 3-0 before going down to Indian 2-1.

Vasco Club, which topped its group, beat Indian Overseas Bank, Kerala Police, State Bank of Hyderabad and qualified along with INFC.

Indian Bank, relegated along with Air India from the premier national football league last year, is keen to seek re-entry into the premier league. It has a well-balanced team with two Nigerian recruits Badar and Nazir who have played in the universities' tournament this season.

The team will be led from the front by old war horse Syed Sabir Pasha, Basheer and Badar. Sebastian Netto will be goal- keeper.

Indian National Football Club of Delhi, the Delhi league champion, have a young side and Indian Bank cannot remain complacent as it has players in its ranks who can trouble the rival defence. Their main strength is its midfield which consists of Koy Paul, Deepak Guru, Anthony and Trilak Bisit.

Vasco, which finished third in Goa's professional league, has recruited two Uzbek players - goal-keeper Anwar and defender Awaz Kashimov - to give more strength to their rear guard.

Their defence comprises Seby Dias, Caetano Pinho, Khelandro Singh, Awaz Kashimov, Laeandro Almedia and Bibian Fernandes.

Hindustan Aeronautics limited (HAL), which was the main force in the south in the 60s, have a young side comprising boys below 21 years and is coached by Krishnaji Rao, who had been the assistant coach for the Indian squad for the SAFF tournament last year.

- PTI

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