The Hindu : ITI holds Salgaocar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 20, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

ITI holds Salgaocar

BANGALORE, MARCH 19. Indian Telephone Industries (ITI), plagued by injuries, dialled the wrong numbers mostly. However, Salgaocar SC failed to cash in on the opportunity. And the 1-1 draw reflected the limited efforts on view in the Tata National Football League clash at the Football Stadium here on Tuesday.

Kenneth Raju scored ITI's goal, in the 57th minute, and Denis Cabral found the equaliser for Salgaocar, in the 72nd minute.

In a sedate first half, the only ripples were caused by ITI coach Krishnaji Rao's three substitutions in the space of 15 minutes. Mike Okoro, Dakshina Murthy and Johan Ugwu were benched following injuries and their substitutes-Mahendra Mani, Kenneth Raju and Muralidharan-had a hard time in striking cohesion. And George Ekeh's absence due to a `red card' against Mohun Bagan, saddled the local team with a defensive approach.

Salgaocar did cause the initial scare with Jos Esteves and Glador Zatre testing ITI custodian Balaji, who having recently faced considerable flak for a suspect form, salvaged his pride with some splendid showing despite Salgaocar's equaliser later in the evening.

The ITI reply was pegged on a Mahendra Mani run that split the left flank and yielded a pass to Kenneth Onu who in turn chipped to Kenneth Raju. However Raju, positioned wide, etched a tame right footer.

Salgaocar breathed easy until defender Majekodunmi Olubiyi nearly committed `hara-kiri'. The lanky African, nearly headed in a self-goal off ITI Syed Hussain's flag-kick. Luckily, the ball sailed wide while goal-keeper Kalyan Chaubey yelled at his defender's reckless approach.

The second half gathered pace with ITI slotting in the opening goal. In the 57th minute, persevering medio Raghubeer Singh sent a long pass to Kenneth Onu who evaded Majekodunmi and sent a diagonal to Kenneth Raju. Salgaocar custodian Kalyan Chaubey's belated flinge failed to thwart Kenneth Raju's sliding left-footer.

The visitors pressed Alvito D'Cunha and Bruno Coutinho into the attack. The change in the Goan's fortunes was visible though Alvito did mess up a gilt-edged chance, sending a back pass to Eugene Gray.

A swift move in the 72nd minute helped the visitors draw level. A Dharamjit Singh floater from the deep homed into the ITI zone in a flash and while Balaji froze, an on-the-run Denis Cabral volleyed the ball into the net, plunging the crowd into silence.

``With about nine players injured, we are happy with the one point we got,'' said Krishnaji Rao. The draw left Salgaocar with 29 points. ITI has 27 points after the 17th round match.

- Our Sports Reporter

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