Date:02/04/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/04/02/stories/2003040203161800.htm

Sport - Football

TFA halts SBT's winning streak

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 1. Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur halted the winning run of State Bank of Travancore with an impressive 2-0 victory in the second phase of the second division National football League at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium here on Tuesday.

Playing to their potential for the first time in the six-team league, the youthful brigade had the favourite on the run for most of the time before coming up with the stunning win. That the TFA boys were not overawed by the stature of their opponents was in fact evident from the start before Debrata Roy and Bimal Pariyar found the taget to help their side through to its second win in three matches.

The defeat for the favourite now leaves Air India, an easy 3-1 winner over FC Kochin earlier in the day, and Border Security Force jointly on top with seven points. SBT and TFA share the second spot with six points each.

SBT, unusually tentative, never got its act right today. But what proved to be totally surprising was the manner in which its midfield broke down as the TFA boys kept up pressure with fast counters and some sensible defending. And being starved of passes, both Asif Saheer and Abdul Hakkim were left stranded upfront time and again.

It only proved to be an ideal situation for TFA who in Jerry Zirsanga, Malsawma and Bimal Pariyar had a sound trio to carry on the attack to the rival camp and embarrass the rival defence, which once again lacked in confidence despite the induction of the experienced V. Sivakumar in place of Abhilash Appukuttan. Yet the opening session was barren as the TFA boys let the two opportunities to score go abegging.

However, TFA hardly took two minutes after the restart to surge ahead and the lead goal came in the shape of a penalty which was awarded in its favour when Zirsanga, on a speedy solo run, was tripped by Abdul Basheer well within the dreaded area. Debrata Roy made no mistake.

SBT, despite the reverse, was still unable to break from the chains that shackled it though Hakkim came up with a powerful first-time shot off a pass from Saheer and then headed over another cross from Ignatius. This only raised the confidence of the TFA boys who continued to torment the rival defence before Bimal Pariyar put the issue beyond doubt with a powerful headed goal off a pass from Malsawma.

Earlier, FC Kochin suffered its third setback in as many matches when it was overpowered by Air India in a match which never rose to the expected level. The Mumbai side, for all the advantage it held against the inexperienced Kochi outfit, still had to wait till the dying minutes of the first-half to score.

The lead goal for the Mumbai side came through Vijit Shetty who showed fine anticipation to take control of a rebound, after M.V. Nelson had thwarted his initial try, and plant the ball into the rival net with a powerful volley. Buoyed with this success, Air India was on the prowl right from the start of the final session and had as many as three gilt-edged opportunities before Narendra Meetei capped a brilliant solo through the left to frustrate Nelson once again.

FC Kochin, gave something to cheer for its supporters, when K. Bijumon made it 2-1, converting a penalty after Noushad Moosa was penalised for deliberate ball-handling well within his own box by the referee, U.B. Singh. However, it made no difference as Air India soon enough completed the rout, this time off substitute Syed Altafuddin Ahmed who was quick enough to move into position to connect an Anthony Fernandez header.

Wednesday will be a day of rest.