Sport - Football

STC, Bangalore made to sweat

— Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.

ECSTATIC BUNCH: Members of the STC, Bangalore team, pose with the trophy.

Bangalore: STC, Bangalore, emerged champion with a lot of sweat in the SAI South Zone inter-hostel football tournament that concluded at the Football Stadium here on Friday. In the final, STC Bangalore defeated STC Calicut 1-0 through extra-time after the match remained barren all through full-time. The final scoreline was identical to the earlier league clash between the two teams on Wednesday in which STC, Bangalore had won 1-0.

The final proved to be a repetitive tale in which STC, Bangalore failed to cash in on its possessional superiority while the STC, Calicut defence remained dogged and often indulged in long clearances in the nick of time to thwart rival attacks. The first half meandered without any productive strikes and the score remained blank at the break.

In the second-half, the STC, Bangalore trio of Alex Praveen, Arokiaraj Kenneth and Akram scampered into the rival box but often ran into a defender. Akram did get a gilt-edged chance in the later part of the second half as he capitalised on a loose ball in a goalmouth melee but with just the STC, Calicut goalkeeper Shahi in front, the STC, Bangalore striker essayed a feeble kick and the match soon extended into extra-time.

Meanwhile STC, Calicut’s Rohan suffered a red card as a result of getting two yellow cards.

Akram however made no mistake when he got his second chance in the first-half of extra-time. With a quick feint of feet, he slotted the goal in the third minute of extra time (73rd min.) to help STC, Bangalore clinch the trophy. Akram dribbled in from the right extreme and scored the goal with ease after luring Shahi into giving the charge.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu