Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112754121800.htm

Sport - Football

Viva Kerala to meet HASC

BANGALORE: Viva Kerala, with a game built on short and crisp passing, had the measure of Integral Coach Factory, Chennai, in the group B qualifying round of the 30th Federation Cup football tournament here on Wednesday.

Viva, which won 2-1, now plays HASC in the final on Friday for the lone berth from the group to the tournament proper in Kolkata. SBT has already made the grade from group A.

After taking the lead in the 14th minute when C.S. Sabeeth deflected in a ball from Sirajuddin from the left, Viva messed up a couple of good opportunities, with Shibinlal and Sabeeth shooting wide.

Soon after the change of ends, Shibinlal curled in a cross from the far left corner and Sirajuddin headed the ball in with goalkeeper John David rooted in the middle.

With a 2-0 lead, the Kerala side seemed to get complacent and this was enough invitation for the ICF men to switch gears. The Chennai side made a few deep forays and one such move earned it a free-kick just outside the Viva box. Suresh Kumar sent a dipping ball which was headed into the net by Dhadeus.

Thereafter, it was ICF on the ascendancy but neither Jegan Jr. nor Ashok Kumar could capitalise on chances created.