Football: Bijukumar, the toast of Kerala

By Our Special Correspondent

JALANDHAR, NOV. 24. A minute past half hour in the second session, T.V. Bijukumar came on to replace the off-colour Ignatious and his first touch of the ball turned into a goal, the only one in the match, as National champion Kerala finally managed a win to keep alive its hopes of qualification from Group II, in the men's football competition of the National Games on Friday.

After the loss to Goa in its first outing, Kerala needed full points against host Punjab today to avoid embarrassment in the four-team league format. But what a struggle it proved to be!

Kerala was lucky that the first half chance it gained could be capitalised by the lanky Bijukumar, whose induction should have come a lot earlier, for Ignatious upfront was anything but inspiring. Biju was in the rival end in a jiffy and a defensive lapse saw him use his instep to just tap the ball over the diminutive Punjab goalkeeper, Arvind Kumar. Quite amazingly, the ball just had the space to squeeze in past the left post.

However, had Punjab not messed up clear-cut opportunities that were provided by a defence that, despite Vinu Jose's lion-hearted display, was porous, the tale could have been different. At least twice Hardip Gill missed goalbound strikes and that proved dear for Punjab. Like Kerala, the host, with one win, awaits the next set of matches to know its chances of qualification to the semifinal round.

For a change, Punjab eschewed the long diagonal and aerial passes for some swift-moving, short-passing approach. While Kerala was struggling to find the rhythm that helped it court success in the recent Mumbai National, Punjab, thanks to Rampal, Hardip Saini, Manjinder Singh and Hardip Gill, was busily chipping away at the Kerala end. A quick substitution of Ajayan for Sabeer Ali reflected Kerala's poor midfield.

The entry of Jaswinder Singh (for Rampal) added bite to the Punjab approach. Suddenly, the Kerala-end was under seige. Kuljit laid a pass for Hardip which was struck wide, and Dalip gave a through ball which Hardip misdirected again. Groans rose and then the agony when Coach Peethambaran's master-stroke of bringing in Bijukumar provided immediate dividends.

In another tie, Tamil Nadu's late heroics could not stop Goa from squeezing out a 5-4 win in a Group II match to ensure a semifinal berth. Down 1-3 by half-time and 1-5 thereafter, Tamil Nadu refused to go down without a fight.

Three goals in the space of 10 minutes by Kulothungan (penalty), Muthu and Amritharaja almost turned the game around. But Tamil Nadu could get only that far.

Lazarus Fernandes (fifth minute), Bibiano Fernandes (20th) and Menino Fernandes (44th) were Goa's scorers while Muthu (25th) had reduced the margin. Sukhdev Arwade (48th) and Bibian Fernandes (50th min. penalty) raised Goa's tally before Tamil Nadu took the fight to a different level. With two losses, Tamil Nadu is out of the reckoning.

The results (women): Group II: Manipur 0 drew with Bihar 0; Kerala 1 (Subitha) beat Maharashtra 0.

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Section  : Sport
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