During the second half, when the giant digital clock at the Ambedkar Stadium read 44:30, both the ONGC and BSF dug-outs began to scurry around in preparation for the penalty shootouts. The players too started defending in a group so big that counterattacking was never an option.
A long goal-kick by ONGC goalkeeper Bilifang Narzary and 15 seconds later, ONGC striker Babatunde fired the ball past a wrong-footed Kalyan Mitra — Border Security Force goalkeeper — and scored the only goal of the match to book a spot in the main draw of the Durand Cup.
The sound of the referee's whistle may have cut short an incomplete celebration, but ONGC were more than happy to proceed with celebrations of victory that will pit them against I-League teams. ONGC are drawn against Mohun Bagan and JCT in Group 2 of the quarter-final league. With their first match against the Punjab club on Sunday, ONGC coach Sujit Chakraborty believes every match from here on is a bonus.
"First, I must say that I am very proud of the team. It is a big achievement for us," Chakraborty told Sportline. "As our big target for this season is to qualify for the I-League, entering the quarter-final league gives our players immense amount of exposure, which we cannot get in the second division," he said.
Earlier in the match, BSF dominated the possession during the first half, but control over the ball did not translate into shots on target. The second half saw the introduction of fresh legs for both teams, but the attempts on goal lacked conviction.
While Narzary did not have to stretch himself throughout the match, he did play his role in creating the goal in the dying seconds . The goalkeeper's long ball found C Kenistan, who passed the ball to Babatunde inside the opposition's box. Unmarked and open on goal, Babatunde potted it into the net with the least effort.
"I did not see that coming," said a laughing Babatunde. "We were mentally preparing for penalties when I found myself in the clear," the Nigerian said. Arriving at ONGC as the latest foreign recruit after playing two seasons with Viva Kerala and a couple of stints at Dempo SC and Salgaocar FC, the striker is happy with the new club.
"I feel at home with ONGC. The management is good and it reflects in my game-play," Babatunde said. The 23-year-old also believes that making it to the main draw of the Durand Cup gives his players the experience and exposure required to compete in the I-League. "Our goal this season is to make it to the I-League. We have a young squad and results such as this will only inspire us to achieve it."
BK Bhowmik, ONGC manager, claims that Babatunde was the missing piece of the jigsaw in the ONGC squad last year as the Nigerian's resume shows three years of experience of top-flight football in India. As Bhowmik begins to narrate the incident that forced him to buy the Nigerian striker, Babatunde stifles a few laughs.
"In the 2008-09 season, all we needed was a draw in the final game against Viva Kerala to qualify for the I-League. Babatunde scored a hat-trick for them and we lost 4-1. He destroyed us, so we went out and bought him," said Bhowmik, adding, "I would have paid any price for him as Babatunde will be the driving force of our team from now on."
Source: The Indian Express
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Thursday 10 September 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.