GV Raja All India football: Mohun Bagan Academy holds SBT
The gutsy Mohun Bagan Academy held fancied State Bank of Travancore to a goalless draw in a pool ‘C’ quarterfinal league
match of the GV Raja all-India football tournament at the University stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
SBT missed a penalty and numerous other chances but that shouldn’t take any credit away from the young lads who showed a lot
of grit and gumption against their more experienced rivals.SBT, missing several star players including Asif Saheer and Noushad due to injury, would rue the penalty miss by its most influential player C.J. Renil in the 65th minute.
The penalty was awarded when Renil was pushed from behind while attempting a header. Renil’s shot hit the far post and rebounded to Jipson whose shot was saved by Bagan goalkeeper Amit Saha. It could be said that, SBT underestimated the capability of its rival. The initial flourish of the Bagan side came as a surprise to the bankmen.
The young lads impressed with their ball control and moved up with felicity and grace till the rival penalty box. SBT defenders were a bit more experienced for the young turks to create any impression.However, SBT soaked the pressure and slowly took control of the midfield. Bagan goalkeeper Amit Saha rushed out to pluck the ball from the feet of Renil as SBT broke free in the 30th minute. Saha came to the rescue again when he stopped a full blooded shot from Renil in the 35th minute.
Bagan slipped into defensive mode in the second half as SBT became more proactive. The Bagan goal had a close shave when
Renil shot out from close at the start of the second half. Though SBT enjoyed more of ball possession, it strikers failed to break the defensive phalanx of Bagan.
SBT missed the services of Asif Saheer and Noushad in the midfield. As it struggled to break the deadlock the needless foul on Renil came as a boon but Renil wasted the golden chance.In the 70th minute, Amit Saha tipped out an attempt by Edison who was put in position by Sajith. As the match wore on, Bagan defended in numbers and goalkeeper Amit Saha also rose to the occasion
