Setback for FC Kochin

By Our Special Correspondent

KOCHI, APRIL 16. State Bank of Travancore (SBT) kept its chances of averting demotion from the National Football League alive by bouncing back to hold FC Kochin, 1-1, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Monday. The draw leaves SBT with a tally of 17 points, with two more matches to go, while FC Kochin, with the same number of encounters on hand, has 34 points after 20 matches.

Needless to say, it was a needle encounter for both the sides this evening and though the day's result should provide SBT sufficient chance to stay on in the league, it, nevertheless, was a big setback for FC Kochin's hope of taking the second spot in this 12-team affair. This was the Kochi team's last home match.

The show in the first-half, despite the demanding agenda for both the teams, was hardly inspiring. It was sheer agony watching SBT, though looking better organised in the midfield and in the attack, losing its way, time and again, in the rival goal-area. Even worse was the case with the home team which largely depended on the speed and strength of Sunday Seah-playing as a forward right from the start today-and Aaron Cole to see it safely through the day.

The lack of support from the middle, however, did not stop the duo (who had lead a near revolt citing non-payment of the contract fee by the club leading to FC Kochin making a late appearance at the stadium) from helping the home side into the lead as early as in the eighth minute. Seah with his speedy breakaway move from near to the half-line and well-measured pass to Cole was instrumental in getting the lead goal: Cole had to only provide the finishing touches as Seah's pass had by itself left the rival defence wide open.

However, FC Kochin was unable to sustain the excitement as SBT was quick to take control and tried its best to restore parity. But, with Saheer, well-guarded by Sameer and Ignatius, and Noushad unable to meet the crosses that came their way, it was altogether a tale of missed chances before SBT unexpectedly found the equaliser.

The initiative for this successful move came from Vinu Jose who found Saheer with a long pass from the middle. Saheer in turn found an unmarked Ignatius right at the top of the box and Ignatius, this time around, made no mistake.

On resumption, SBT looked very much in control, but not for long as FC Kochin, motivated by Seah and Cole, provided quite a few torrid moments for its rival, especially its custodian, Rajeev Kumar. Cole unleashed at least a couple of long-rangers and Eugene Gray did the same once even as Seah continued to tease the SBT defence which suddenly looked tentative and unsure of the task on hand.

Help from the midfield from where Ajayan and Shabir Ali moved behind was what provided SBT with the requisite vigour to thwart the rival forwards from scoring. Rajeev was also outstanding, effecting saves whenever Cole and Gray tried their luck from away.

The Bank side, as time wore on, was also able to mount pressure at the other end with some quick counters. And after the two clear opportunities which emanated from the flanks went abegging as Saheer and Ignatius were late in moving ahead and connecting, SBT had another great chance as Noushad fed Saheer with a thorough-ball just outside the penalty area.

Saheer also did well to take the ball into the rival defence, but his shot past an advancing Dinesh Nair was wide off the mark.

It was then the turn of M.K. Sunil to attempt a long- ranger and though Rajeev Kumar once again did rise to the occasion, the SBT custodian hurt himself as he went sprawling to the ground and was substituted with Feroz Sheriff. The final whistle followed a short while thereafter.

FC Kochin will next meet East Bengal in Kolkata on April 24, and SBT takes on Air India in Thiruvananthapuram on the same day.

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