The Hindu : Kerala enters final

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002

Sport

Sport - Football

Kerala enters final

THRISSUR Dec. 9. A gallant Madras University went down with its guns blazing as Kerala squeezed out a 3-2 win to enter the final of the 63rd Peerless all-India inter-university football tournament at Corporation stadium here on Monday.

Kerala appeared to be well in control when it led 3-0 at half-time. But Madras came back strongly in the second half and nearly pulled the rug from under the feet of Kerala which was lucky to cling on to its lead.

However, the one-sided first half gave no indication of close contest as Kerala with its midfield lending good support to the forward line. The Madras side was forced to back pedal as Kerala wove a string of threatening moves in the first quarter. But Kerala was able to break the deadlock only in the 20th minute through an opportunistic strike from Martin. The striker latched on to rebound after Madras goalkeeper Jean Philp had managed to palm away a stinging right footer from Shaji. However, the ball landed at the feet of Martin who quickly slid the ball between the goalkeeper's legs.

The Madras defence was split open by a darting run from Shaji on the left wing and his cut back from the byline was volleyed home by Martin in the 30th minute.

Kerala kept up the pressure and Martin converted his hat-trick in the 39th minute converting a penalty, which was awarded when he was fouled inside the penalty box.

Madras started the fight back scoring in the second minute of the second half. A. Anand profited from the slack defending from Kerala defence which failed to clear a high ball and the striker had no difficulty in lobbing it over goalkeeper's head.

The goal pepped up the Madras side which launched a blistering attack at the rival half. Kerala reduced the lead in the 59th minute when Jearld Rozario brought down Ashok Kumar who had sneaked into the penalty areas unnoticed. Ashok was spot on with his penalty kick. Thereafter Kerala survived many anxious moments when both Ashok Kumar and Anand had the ball. But the forwards were erratic with their shooting as Kerala managed to cushion the onslaught with some luck.

Kerala will meet Annamalai in the final on Wednesday.

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