The home lads shocked I league second division team Chandni FC defeating them 3-2 in a thriller at Malayala Manorama Gold Cup All-India Football Tournament at Seethi Haji floodlight stadium at Edavanna, Malappuram.
Rain in the afternoon certainly helped to soften the lush green turf at Juvenile Sports Clubs home ground where Mampad MES college team were to take on the I -league second division team. The game which Chandni was favorites to win produced another upset in the tournament!
MES College team which were the runners up at Calicut University Inter college Football tournament had good home support. The team consisted of six University players and five players from the Malappuram District U21 team who were crowned the champions at Idukki.
The well set team took the game to their opponents with their trademark short pass game. Fast game play through the wings and deft moves took the game to Chandni FC
In 27th minute midfielder Umer Farook shook the net for MES and the very next minute skipper "Babloo" Jimshad produced beautiful pass to create opportunity for striker Nasarudheen who made no mistake to plant the ball into the net.
Two quick goals created much pressure for the opposition and they looked rattled.
Nasarudheen scored again with assist from Abu Niyas in 38th minute to send the home crowd frenzy.
Half time saw the scoreline 3-0 against the favourites. MES resorted to sit back at the lead and this let in Chandni to regroup. Chandni FC managed to come back to the game with Yahya (59th minute) and Rajeev (72nd minute) from set plays.
The goal difference looking slimline MES looked to get another goal, leaving the last fifteen minutes to a nail biting encounter.
The pushed Chandni FC back to their lines and shots flying around in the later stages gave way to an exciting finish. Chandni Goalkeeper Naseeb produced some good saves to keep them in contention as the game finished off with the scoreline 3-2.
The loss will end Chandni FC's campaign to the tournament while MES will play the powerhouse of Kerala football KSEB in another knock out match tomorrow.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Monday 11 January 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.