Karnataka rallies to hold Tamil Nadu

By Nandakumar Marar

MUMBAI, NOV. 9. N. Balaji will understand why goalkeepers always walk alone. One mistake by the man under the bar is like a death wish on his team. Two in a row in a crucial match and you can head for the door.

Fortunately for the tall and stately Karnataka goalkeeper, his mates in the forwardline covered up for his blunders with two timely goals, overturning a benumbing 0-2 deficit against Tamil Nadu into a 2-2 draw in Group B of the 57th Santosh Trophy National football championships quarterfinal league.

A draw for Karnataka against `lucky' Tamil Nadu is an under- achievement, coming on the heels of a goalless draw against the strugglers from Bengal in the first game. Having kicked fate in the face in both quarterfinal league matches, the former can only wait and watch the outcome of Tamil Nadu's deciding clash with Bengal, which needs only a victory to book a semifinal berth.

However, if the spate of draws in this group extends to Sunday's concluding Bengal vs Tamil Nadu match, Tamil Nadu will pip Bengal on a better goal aggregate. A goalless draw will force a draw of lots between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to decide the group topper, Bengal will then be elbowed out.

All these post-match calculations may not have crossed Balaji's mind on Friday, since Tamil Nadu was expected to be the whipping boys at this level of competition, having sneaked through from the preliminary stage due to luck of the draw against Gujarat.

The Karnataka goalkeeper blundered twice, the first due to indecision, the second a concentration lapse, letting in shots from Tamil Nadu forwards he would be ashamed of, taking into account his experience and track record in Indian football as the last sentinel.

Former international Sabir Pasha was a known threat, yet none of the Karnataka defenders could get a bearing on the nippy, tricky striker. Neither could Balaji, hopelessly out of position after clashing with a defender when rushing out. Pasha moved in for the lob and then went for the kill, only to find his volley ballooning over.

After this early fourth-minute escape, Suresh Kumar punished the Karnataka goalkeeper for a moment of indecision with a superb eighth-minute goal, picking his spot to the left of the goalkeeper and bulging the net with a well-timed right-footer.

Pasha was the next Tamil Nadu striker to punish Balaji and Karnataka, heading home a pull back by A. Chendur in the 36th minute, the ball going past the goalkeeper's flaying hands. At the other end, the Tamil Nadu custodian, Felix Edwards, thwarted a K.V. Dhanesh volley with ease. Action swung back to Balaji's end, this time a clever right-footed flick on the run by K. Kulothungan forcing the Karnataka 'keeper out of his charge, followed by a leap to palm the ball away.

The pressure of a two-goal deficit forced a feeling of desperation in the Karnataka ranks, the players always in a hurry to get the ball into the rival half in the hope of a goal. Speedy runs along the flanks by the long-legged forwards became a common sight, however without being effective as the defence dealt with low crosses and centres firmly.

The breakthrough came in the 51st minute, Sheikh Sanjib reducing the margin with a deft tap to the left post off a cross from Gopi.

Karnataka's equaliser came after Tamil Nadu custodian Edward had palmed away a William Crasta snap shot at the expense of a corner. Crasta was the provider this time, feeding A. Firoze with a cross for the latter to trap the ball when hemmed in by two defenders and fire a thundering drive high into the net. Edward got a bearing on the flight of the ball, but was beaten by the power packed into the shot.

Assam beats Orissa

Assam earlier pumped in three goals against hard-working Orissa, the 3-0 Group A victory making Kerala's task easier. Tiaakum Ao headed in a Subir Goswami pass for the first goal, Birjab Moshahary scored the next two, celebrating his first with a double somersault, the second with a clenched fist. Further celebrations will have to be put on hold, since Kerala needs only a draw with Orissa to advance into the semifinal as the group leader.

The results:

Group A: Assam 3 (Birjab Moshahary 2, Tiaakum Ao) bt Orissa 0; Group B: Tamil Nadu 2 (Suresh Kumar, Sabir Pasha) drew with Karnataka 2 (Sheikh Sanjib, A. Firoze).

Saturday's matches: Railways vs Services (G-C), Punjab vs Manipur (G-D).

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