Manorama Gold Cup: SBT thrashes Josco to reach semis

SBT Trivandrum trumpeted past Josco with a 6-1 scoreline during an all to win Group A league at Malayala Manorama Gold Cup All-India Football Tournament at Seethi Haji floodlight stadium, Edavanna Malappuram.

SBT got the best possible start when their in-form captain Noushad scored with just 3 minute played. Martin John doubled scoreline at the 10th minute with a good strike which hit the post on the way into the net.

Four more minutes later Mohammed Shafi found the net and this surely took the game out of Josco's reach.

Josco to their credit kept attacking and SBT goalkeeper Kabeer produced 3 great saves in a span of 10 minutes. In 32nd minute of the play Shine Raj with a free kick for josco the shot from went out touching the post. A clear indication of a forgettable day for the team in orange. But fortune was to change. Six minutes later Stephen Lijo scored through a bicycle kick receiving a pass from the right wing of Nigerian striker Onebi.

With scoreline of 3-1 Josco looked inspired but the it was short-lived as Rakesh scored just 3 minute before the firt half for SBT.

With a 3 goal first half deficit Josco went out all out. But SBT played cool as they resorted to sit back. The ball was up and down the field by the Josco players creating numerous chances but SBT defence proved too hard to crack.

Rinil's 71st minute strike and and Mohammed Aslam at the 79th minute sealed off the game finishing with scoreline 6-1.

SBT player Kabeer and Mohammed Shafi and Josco Player Onebi awarded yellow cards

Josco FC Cochin will play Indian Navy Mumbai tomorrow. With both teams out of the tournament, the committee.has decided to take off the entry fee for the match.

From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Saturday 9 January 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.