KSEB survives Josco FC test
In a match marred by controversies, KSEB emerged winners to book a place in the semi-finals of the 34th Kerala State Club Football Championship for Jose Alukka & Sons Jewellers Trophy.
KSEB defeated Josco by a solitary goal scored from a set piece which prompted Josco players turning against the men in charge. The controversial decision to award the freekick which spurred the youngsters from Josco to protest resulted in two yellow cards being flashed and minutes later a red card.
KSEB did not take their opponents lightly. They didn’t hesitate to bring in captain and ace striker Anil Kumar in the starting lineup despite him not being fully fit. With the likes of towering players like Noushad Pari and Prince Paulose, KSEB squad was packed with power, physique and experience.
Josco on the other hand was youthful and full of flair. The game started well with both the teams giving nothing less than 100%. Anil Kumar picked up a knock in the opening minutes and was stretchered out raising few concerns in the bench. But the local boy was back after a few minutes into the thick of action.
In the 7th minute, Josco produced the first good chance of the match as Sumesh at the left wing continued his good form from the last match to swing in a brilliant ball but Stephen Lijo headed it wide.
The very next minute KSEB replied with Dhanesh heading just over the crossbar from Anil’s cross. KSEB gradually started their domination on the match producing some moments of panic but Josco defense was alert each time. Captain Sajin in central defence made some remarkable efforts in blocking the through balls from Rasi reaching its targets.
KSEB got few more chances including a free kick from 30 yards which was blasted over.
Josco were reluctant to wilt under pressure. They frustrated the opposition by playing some good short passing game.
In the 30th minute, Noushad Pari unleashed a blow on Josco Captain Sajin’s back from near the corner flag to which the crowd was furious. The referee booked him for the offense and the player was taken off the field. The crowd, unhappy with the decision was asking the referee to send off the player.
The incident was the spark necessary to ignite Josco players taking the game to more physical. With tackles flying, the game was going in the wrong direction.
In the 35′, Mohammed Rasi was knocked down and the referee missed to spot the foul, the player retaliated few minutes later but was caught in the act and shown a yellow.
The match got more interesting with plenty of action in the middle. Ten minutes into the second half, Rasi puts in a good ball through the air for Anil but Josco defence was playing tight. Naushad cleared it this time.
A few minutes later KSEB won a free kick and Vineeth Antony went into the book. The decision was challenged by the Josco Captain Sajin, for which he was also booked.
This incident spurred reaction from the bench as the Josco Asst. Coach came out to the Fourth official challenging the decision. With more and more tackles and stoppages, the referees seemed to have lost his control on the game.
A minute later Kenny was booked for another offense taking the tally of yellow cards to six, both team sharing the same number.
With the crowd behind them, Josco showed the urge and was taking the game to the opponents. 62 minutes into the game, a shot from Sumesh flew past the far post. It didn’t miss the target by much. KSEB had to sit back and wait for their opportunity.
In the 75th minute, KSEB was awarded a freekick, a decision which was questioned by all quarters of the field. Josco players claimed that the foul was committed against them. The kick was taken low into the box which was set up for at the right side and Dhanesh who took a low drive to the far corner beat the keeper.
The decision going the wrong way Josco showed their inexperience when players started to lose the temper. The kick taken at the touchline targeted the referee!
Three minutes later, Josco almost equalized but Nelson came up with a good save. In the 80′ minute another attempt was cleared off the line by KSEB players.
The tempers grew and in the 84th minute, the linesman flagged for offside for which a Josco player reacted and assaulted him with the crowd backing up and even throwing some chairs onto the field. The match was stopped for few minutes and the player was sent off.
Game resumed after a while and 90 minutes were played where KSEB emerged winners and going on to the Semi Finals. The Josco team despite the defeat, won lot of hearts for their brave play.
The team is reported to lodge an official complaint to the State association and AIFF on the decisions. The team officials said that it was unfortunate for the team to go out of the tournament in such a fashion and they were totally disappointed by the refereeing standards.
Full Time: KSEB 1 – 0 Josco FC
Goals
KSEB
Dhanesh 75′
Man of the Match: Vineeth Antony (Josco FC)
Squad
KSEB
Nelson MV(GK), Bineesh K, Prince Paulose, Saneesh Raj P, Donal Keny, Nawshad KV, Naushad Pari, Muhammed Rasi, Anil Kumar PK, Dhanesh, Sudheep.
Coach: PJ Andrews
Josco
Titus Thomas (GK), Sajin D, Shineraj, Nafeel, Tarzan Thomas, Satheesh, Bijo Paul, Vineeth Antony, Sumesh, Stephen Lijo, Praveen Kumar.
Coach: TK Chathunny
