Date:12/03/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/03/12/stories/2008031256712200.htm

Sport - Football

Setback for SBT

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Bank of Travancore, Thiruvananthapuram suffered a set back ahead of the second division I league qualifiers as it lost reliable defender Abdul Basheer due to an injury.

Basheer broke his right hand during the semifinal match of the inter-district football tournament in Malappuram early this month. The defender underwent an operation and has been advised six weeks rest which rules him out of the 2nd division league which begins in Pune on March 26.

SBT, which is Kerala’s lone representative in the second division I league, is desperately looking for a replacement for Basheer. It has approached Travancore Titanium for releasing experienced defender Mohd. Shabeer on loan for the second division tournament. But Titanium, which is gearing itself to take part in the third division league, is unlikely to release Shabeer.

SBT captain Asif Saheer and key striker Abdul Hakkim are carrying niggles. But the team management expects both of them to be fit before the tournament. SBT is grouped along with HAL, Pune FC, ONGC Ltd, Chirag United FC and Vasco FC in Group ‘A’. The Thiruvananthapuram side opens its campaign with a match against Vasco FC on March 28. — Principal Correspondent