Date:05/05/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/05/05/stories/2005050507752000.htm

Sport - Football

Air-India steers clear of trouble

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Despite being ruffled early on and again in the final moments, Air-India managed to steer clear of trouble and scripted a 3-2 win over BSF in a Group A match of the NFL second division at the Nehru stadium here on Wednesday.

A plucky side, Air-India was on cruise mode straightaway. Its speedy players, gifted with a good passing sense, virtually had the BSF end under siege. The first salvo came in the very first minute when a Chiman Rao blast saw goalkeeper Kameshwar Singh parrying desperately. Then came a breathtaking chip from left flank by Santosh Koli that barely missed the rectangle. Air-India had certainly set the pace and BSF looked a touch unsure.

Ironically it was the Air-India end that fell first thanks to a bizarre goal when goalkeeper Raju Ekka failed to size up a bouncing ball. Santosh Kujur was in handy position to steal the opportunity with an empty cage in front in the 15th minute.

The equaliser

Expectedly the equaliser in the 30th minute came off a class act by Antony Fernandes who timed his run to a nicety, seeing Noel Fernandes cross from far side. Antony's poke beat Kameshwar's grasp by a whisker. Ten minutes later Narendra Meetei induced Noel to hammer in the lead-getting goal.

The second session remained fast paced for a long while with BSF picking itself up well. Kujur and Sunil Vergil initially and then Ouseph checked Air-India's flourish. Air-India still forged ahead, courtesy Kameshwar's poor collection to help substitute Suprith finish in a flash (71st). The stage was set for BSF to make a determined comeback. Kujur reflected the team's mood with a superb left footer from 25 yards that caught Raju Ekka napping (85th). The pressure mounted but Air-India made it to safety in the end.

PTI reports from Jamshedpur

Mohd. Sporting rallies

Mohammedan Sporting Club, Kolkata bounced back twice to hold Punjab Police 3-3 in second division NFL at Jamshedpur, while Tata Football Academy and Hindustan Football Club, Delhi, split points after a 1-1 draw.

Punjab Police Vijay Pal (2nd), Gur Iqbal Singh (39th) and Pravin Kumar (81st) scored while K.P. Zuber (64th), Naushad Musa (72nd) and Malswama (84th) struck for Mohammedan Sporting.

Punjab Police surged ahead in the second minute through Vijay Pal and increased the margin in the 39th mintue through Gur Iqbal Singh. Mohammedan Sporting bounced back after half-time scoring through K.P. Zuber (64th) and Naushad Musa (72nd), who converted a penalty kick.

Punjab Police went ahead again in the 81st minute through Pravin Kumar, but the joy was shortlived as Mohammedan Sporting striker Malswama levelled scores in the 84th minute.

In the second match, Hindustan Football Club's Deepak Kumar hoisted the lead in the 22nd mintue and Vimal Minz brought the equaliser eight mintues later.