A Goalkeeping mistake proved too costly for Viva Kerala as they lost 2-0 to Mohun Bagan after holding on to the first half at 0 - 0.
A goalkeeping mistake at 52 minutes saw Mohun Bagan take the lead and a second goal 3rd minute of second half injury time finished the game.
Viva Kerala started well with Reuben playing a lone forward. The first chance came to Kerala in 20 minutes when the team combined few good passes and Reuben Senyo's strike from distance sailed over the bar.
Moments later Snehashish's cross from the left saw Sarath's punch being headed straight into the latter's hands by Chidi Edeh.
Viva goalkeeper Sharat EC again was in focus when he went forward misjudging the flight of the ball, and then managed to palm it away right down the center of the post where Bello Rassaq was quick to make an clearance off the line.
Mohun Bagan was creating chances more often but Chidi Edeh failing to hit the target. Half an hour into the game the best chance was created for Mohun Bagan when a corner was flicked on at the near post by Marcos fell for Chidi Edeh's right foot, but he hacks it over the bar from 8 yards!
The Nigerian soon came back with a fierce strike but Sharat made a beautiful save punching it away, again not holding the ball.
Viva managed to hold the home team to a goalless draw till the half time, but not much of chances was created.
The goal came in the second half when Surkumar Singh sent a long ranger which should have been collected by the goalkeeper. Sharat couldn't hold the ball which bounced off him and Snehashish was the first onto the rebound finishing from a very acute angle at the near post.
After the hour mark Viva was more in control of the match with some good shot passes finding players but lacked the finishing up front. Reuben was doing well winning headers and keeping the ball holding onto the defenders but he lacked the support of a genuine striker who can fetch the ball and have a crack at the post. Viva mid fielders too were guilty of not coming forward and making runs to support Reuben.
Viva was forced to make their first substitution when Chidi's boots caught Sumit Thapa on his arm during a tackle earlier in the game. Karma replaced Thapa. Later Rahul was replaced by brining on Shibil Lal at about 70 minutes into the game.
Patrick gave way to Fredy in the middle who soon saw a yellow card for pulling Isfaq Ahmed down to the ground.
75 minutes into the game Reuben got a golden opportunity to equalise when ball from corner found him inside the box but his shot was deflected over the bar.
Goal keeper Sharat was again into trouble when a cross from the left came in with Chidi attacking the ball;Sharath going for it, and giving it upat the last moment! He turned his back on the ball as he feared contact with the Bagan striker the lose ball was cleared off by Surjith from the onrushing Thomba Singh.
Deep into the injury time, Chidi latched onto a defensive clearance and from the outside of his foot sent in a ball across which was netted Manish.
Surely Viva Kerala lacks a genuine striker up front to support Reuben, and Sharat needs to learn to hold the ball.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Monday 12 October 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.