Indian Navy beat SBI Kerala to retains title
Indian Navy flunked a penalty during regulation time but came good later when it mattered in the shootout to beat SBI Kerala 5-3 and retained the title in the G.V. Raja all-India football tournament on Saturday.
Navy goalkeeper Bhaker
Roy came up with two splendid saves in the shootout after teams drew 1-1.
The conditions were far
from perfect as heavy rain in the afternoon rendered the turf slushy. The
slippery conditions tested the players of both sides.
Bibaka Thapa put the
Mumbai side ahead in the 19th minute when he nodded in a header after a cross,
which came from the right flank, caught the SBI defence napping.
Sunil Naik wasted a good
opportunity to increase the lead in the 24th minute when Navy was awarded a
penalty after SBI goalkeeper Midhun brought down Bibaka Thapa. However, Sunil
shot out from the spot.
Navy showed its intent
early in the second half when Jijo released Sarbarjit Singh on the right flank
with a through ball.
Sarbarjit entered the
box but his cutback was wasted by Harikrishna who shot out. SBI wrested back
control in the last quarter and the hardworking Prasoon was instrumental in the
turnaround.
SBI put the pressure back on Navy which caved in when Faizal Rehman
scored off a goalmouth melee in the 81st minute.
SBI had a chance to sew
the contest but Shibin Lal’s effort ricocheted off the far post in the dying
minutes.
Bhaker saved the efforts
from Shaijumon and Martin John in the penalty kicks.
Goals Scorrers:
Indian Navy 5: (Bibaka
Thapa 19, Sunil Naik, Riyadh, D. Jibin, HariKrishna)
SBI Kerala 3: (Faizal
Rehman 81, V.R. Rahul, Seesan)
