Federation Cup 2009: HAL dashes SBT hopes
An inspired performance from HAL captain Xavier Vijaya Kumar nailed SBT’s hopes to qualify as HAL Bangalore advanced to the Inter-Zonal qualifiers of the Federation Cup. This leaves Viva Kerala as the only representative from Kerala this year.
After controlling the proceedings for most part of the first half, a single defensive lapse paved the way for an unmarked Murali J to freely find the net from a brilliantly-taken free kick from Xavier Vijay Kumar and left the SBT goalkeeper Harshal Rehman a mere spectator.
However, except for this defensive lapse, the SBT defenders thwarted most of the moves and successfully marked HAL’s foreign recruit Fredrick Okwagbe, who had scored in the last game. The high balls sent to the striker were nicely cleared by SBT defenders Sarath BT and Abdul Basheer.
Meanwhile, the SBT attacks were mainly focused through both the wings and made many near-goal attempts but failed to finish. Several efforts of the SBT striker Asif Saheer and youngster Mohammed Aslam went too wide or were trapped in off-side.
In the 44th minute, against the tide of the game, HAL won a free kick and Murali J finished superbly from HAL captain Xavier Vijaya Kumar’s kick.
In the next five minutes and the first 15 minutes of the second time, SBT kept attacking through all the possible fronts and Noushad and Saheer teamed-up well and made some good chances with agile passes but could not finish any of it.
But the game was overturned when HAL scored another goal, this time an intelligent move by captain Xavier Vijaya Kumar. He dribbled the ball and erred the defenders with his quick move and netted neatly without giving a chance for the goalkeeper to even budge.
SBT made two substitutions in the second half by bringing in Indian camper Mohammed Rafi’s twin brother Shafi and talented striker Rakesh K instead of defender Mohammed Harris and exhausted striker Asif Saheer.
But after getting the second blow, SBT lost their grip on the match completely and never recuperated from it. Moreover, winger Martin John who was a constant threat in the first half was less influential in the second half. Several times, it seemed HAL was going to score again but some timely savings from SBT custodian Harshal Rahman rescued SBT from further humiliation.
A late penalty in the injury time was given to HAL when SBT defender Abdul Basheer brought down HAL’s Xavier Vijaya Kumar in the box. But the penalty taken by Frederick Okwagbe was saved by the in-form SBT custodian by pushing the ball by a remarkable dive to the left side.
SBT will be disappointed at missing the bus but will now change their focus to the ongoing Kerala State Club Championships. HAL will be high on confidence and will be excited about catching their flight to Mumbai for the next round of qualifiers. They are grouped with Vasco SC and ONGC Mumbai.
SBT, Trivandrum:
Starting Eleven: Harshal Rehman PV (Goal Keeper), Sajith T, Abdul Basheer M, Sarath BT, Muhamed Haris, Kabeer AV, Renil CJ, Martin John, Abdul Noushad KM (Captain), Asif Sahir T, Muhammed Aslam AG
Substitutes: Jean Christian, Paul Antony, Jose S, Edison D, Muhammed Shafi M, Abdul Hakkim MA, Rakesh K
Coach: Shaji VP
Manager: Sunil Kumar A
Doctor: Sajan Fasil
HAL, Bangalore:
Starting Eleven: Amar Deb (Goal Keeper), Ricky Joy SJ, Jai Kumar Y, Joseph Femiadeola, Bimal Minz, Sathish Kumar Junior, Jotin Singh, Murali J, Rajendra Prasad P, Xavier Vijay Kumar (Captain), Frederick Okwagbe
Substitutes: Nikhil C Bernard, Naveen Babu M, Deepak K, Thamodhran, Karthikeyan, Srikanth, Sathis Kumar Senior
Coach: Muralidharan
Asst. Coach: Subhash Kumar M
Manager: Muralidharan
Score
SBT – 0 2 – HAL
Murali J (44′)
Xavier Vijay Kumar (65′)
Frederick Okwagbe (missed penalty 90′)
Kevin Kishore for FootballKerala.com
