Date:26/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/26/stories/2008112660582000.htm

Sport - Football

Customs beats S. Railway

CHENNAI: Southern Railway re-entry into the senior division after a gap of two seasons was marred by a 3-0 loss to Chennai Customs in the St Joseph’s-CFA league at the Nehru stadium on Tuesday.

The contest was held in steady drizzle but that did not affect the proceedings with Customs, strengthened by the presence of a Nigerian player Abey Owolesho in the striker’s role, seizing the initiative. Seasoned Ravichandran came up with a mature display in the midfield and it was his play-making that kept the Customs on the move.

The Railway team had few fresh names and depended heavily on its tried and tested players.

Overall, the team was lucky that the margin of defeat was not higher.

Still it must be said it was Railway goalkeeper Amalraj who caught the attention in those early minutes for his spectacular aerial interception of a diagonal pass. But then little could he do thereafter.

In the 21st minute, A. Williams shocked him with a curling flag kick that saw the ball zoom into the cage with Amalraj barely managing a touch. The entire Railway defence stood stunned. Nine minutes later, Ravichandran sent a gem of a pass Owolesho’s way and the Nigerian slammed in a right footer on the run. Owolesho struck again with a header close to full time to complete Customs’ tally.

In the first division, Central Excise defeated Madras Eagles 2-0, Arul and Karthikeyan being the scorers.