Kerala football news

G V Raja All India Football: J&K Bank blanks Malabar United

Jammu & Kashmir Bank blanked Malabar United 3-0 in a Pool ‘C’ quarterfinal league match of the GV Raja all-India football tournament at the University stadium, Thiruvanathapuram on Tuesday.

It was a big let down by Malabar United after a remarkable match against Army XI two days ago. Two silly errors from goalkeeper Pramod coupled with sloppy defending and bizarre decisions of coach N.M. Najeeb paved the way for the defeat. The bankmen cut out the frills and cashed the chances that came its way.

A brace from Hardip Singh (6th and 68th) and another goal from Nigeran Badru Keke Ibrahim scripted the win for the Kochi side.

Prasoon, who played his heart out in Malabar’s 3-1 win on Saturday, didn’t start the match and came on only as substitute in the second half. The side missed Prasoon’s incisive moves on the left flank and his introduction perked up the attack in the second half.

The temperamental Loveday, who had a yellow card in his name, was substituted in the second half and in his absence the Malabar defence looked pedestrian and conceded two goals which it shouldn’t have.

Goalkeeper’s error
The first Jammu goal came off an error from goalkeeper Pramod who was tentative and allowed the ball to slip from his hand while trying to stop an innocuous long ranger from Hardip Singh in the sixth minute.

Malabar United had better of the exchanges in the first half. The Malabar moves didn’t have the desired effect as the strikers struggled to break the Jammu defence.

Moreover, Jammu goalkeeper Vickramjeet Singh was steady under the bar and twice denied Vijesh with smart saves. In between, Jammu and Kashmir Bank had a goal disallowed for off-side.

The bankmen went ahead at the start of the second half. It was unusual to see the entire Malabar defence watching the ball and making no attempt to screen the Nigeran Ibrahaim as he received the freekick floated in by Mohammed Haneef.

Ibrahim had all the time in the world to place the ball in the far corner of the net in the 48th minute.

Prasoon and Jacken Sebastian initiated the fight back for the Kochi side. But unlike Army XI, the bankmen didn’t wilt under pressure.

Keeping their composure
The defenders kept their composure and it was best illustrated by Imran Rafiq who made a goalline clearance off a Firoz shot which had eluded the goalkeeper.

The Bankmen increased the lead in the 68th minute. Malabar United defender Sharath Babu lost the ball to Hardip Singh whose left footer was allowed to curl in by the goalkeeper who made no attempt to save it. The ball hit the left post and rebounded into the goal.

To its credit, Malabar United continued to attack and came close to scoring a goal in the 75th minute when Jacken’s header hit the post. Another shot from Jacken was blocked by Vickramjeet Singh and rebound was cleared away for a corner.

The bankmen with this win have brightened their chances of a place in semifinals. Malabar United completed its engagements in the league with three points. Tuesday is a rest day for the tournament.

Original article published on Hindu.com