The Hindu : Hussain saves ITI in nick of time

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 16, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Hussain saves ITI in nick of time

KOLKATA, MARCH 15. An equaliser in injury-time put paid to Mohun Bagan's hopes of earning full points as the visitor ITI forced a 2-2 draw against the former champion in the 16th round match of the Tata VI National Football League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Friday.

The drawn encounter stopped Bagan from joining Vasco at the top of the league table. Bagan now stands in second place with 29 points. ITI now has 26 and joined Churchill Brothers in the fourth spot. Churchill, however, has played two matches less.

Hussain, coming in for right-back Jitesh, turned ITI's saviour as he availed a set-piece opportunity to draw level in the time added for injury.

Hussain, who took the free-kick, sent a brilliant right-footer that sailed over the Bagan wall and dipped right under the cross-piece to beat a diving goalkeeper, Rajat Ghosh Dastidar. The final whistle came almost immediately after the goal and ended an absorbing contest that saw both sides display good skill and technique.

ITI seized the initiative and opened the scoring through striker Mike Okoro in the third minute. The early setback spurred the home team which reorganised its attack and found the equaliser in the 31st minute as Nigerian striker Abdul Latief Sereiki slotted home a cross from Brazilian colleague Jose Barreto.

Bagan shot into the lead in the 39th minute when the referee awarded a penalty after ITI defender Samshy Reza apparently handled the ball, trying to clear a Rennedy Singh cross. Barreto scored from the spot to give the host the lead. Bagan held a grip over the proceedings in the second session before the injury-time drama.

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