Palmeiras huffs and puffs into the final

By Our Sports Reporter

KOLKATA, OCT. 5. A bruising antagonism replaced the usual artistry as Brazil giant Palmeiras `B' team overcame a defiant Muktijoddha Sanshad of Bangladesh, 2-1, in the semifinals of the 107th IFA Shield football tournament here on Friday.

Palmeiras thus became the first team to move into the final scheduled to be played on Sunday.

The other finalist will be decided on Saturday which sees the second semifinals between city giants, defending champion Kingfisher East Bengal and Mohun Bagan.

Today's match, played at the Municipal Stadium, Howrah, saw the two visiting teams being involved in a physical contest marked by harsh tackles and off-the-ball ambushes. It definitely constricted the flair and flamboyance associated usually with the Latin style of soccer as the Brazilians matched up to the rigorous tactics adopted by the Bangladesh opposition.

The bad blood created by the stand-off between the players of the two teams, who seemed to aim at each other more than the ball during the match, manifested into a violent showdown between the players and the officials after the match.

Trouble started immediately after the match as the Palmeiras players and officials went to exchange the customary pleasantries with their opponents. They were greeted apparently with abuses as the Muktijoddha representatives were in no mood to accept the defeat sportingly.

According to eyewitnesses, one Muktijoddha official-Jahangir Alam-pushed and shoved Palmeiras defender Marco Santana hurling invectives at the player. One of the Palmeiras officials accompanying the team retaliated setting off a free-for-all. As the police struggled to control the situation, the crowd- turning in a large number to see the famed Brazilians-grew restive seeing their favourite team under attack. It almost started a stampede in cramped galleries but the situation was soon brought under control by the as police.

While Palmeiras resented the incident calling it a fall-out of the tension during the match, Muktijoddha officials swore they would lodge a formal complain against the opponent.

The organiser-the Indian Football Association- had decided on the new venue in order to take some load off the over- used Salt Lake Stadium. The new venue presented an excellent turf raising hopes of a good contest.

Muktijoddha enjoyed the initial exchanges as Palmeiras struggled to strike rhythm. Both the teams made extensive use of the flanks but the Brazilians seemed to be showing less ability in getting a clear sight at the goal as Muktijoddha blocked the approach to the goal with extra men in its defence.

Adding to this was the waywardness of the Palmeiras strikers- Hilton Moreira and Reinaldo D'Souza-that lessened the opponent's job considerably. Though the Brazilians played their customary passing game, the sudden bursts into the opponent box was conspicuously missing.

Muktijoddha thus got enough space and time to plan its own assaults. And the rewards came soon enough, its towering striker Emeka Achilefu heading home a nicely floated cross by midfielder Rakib Hussain in the 13th minute of the match.

The early reverse-a new experience for the Brazilians in this tournament-got Palmeiras in a bigger mess and the team appeared thoroughly disoriented. Muktijoddha players tried their obstructive tactics and succeeded in preserving the lead till the 43rd minute before Santana headed home a measured centre from winger Gustavo Estavez.

The first half thus ended with honours even at 1-1.

The second session did not bring out anything spectacular. Muktijoddha players appeared more intent on defending which reduced the number of forays into its opponent area considerably.

Palmeiras captain and right-half Robson Barbosa, substitute striker Fabio dos Santos and central-half Augusto Mendes had a chance each to score in front of the goal in the second session, but none of the players were able to produce the desired finish.

Finally, the task of ensuring the win fell on the shoulders of midfield work-horse Celio Claudio who did his part commendably breaking past opponent's defensive cordon before placing the ball into the net in the 85th minute.

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