Nigerian import Onebi struck a hat-trick as Josco FC blanked BEML, Bangalore 4-0 in a pool 'B' quarterfinal league match of the G.V. Raja memorial all-India football tournament at the University stadium, Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.
The rampaging striker was on target in the 10th, 22nd and 26th minutes and in between T.S. Satheesh scored in the 14th minute as Josco led 4-0 at half-time.
Josco rode roughshod over its rival in the first half. The BEML defence was made to look silly as Josco pierced it with ridiculous ease from the left flank.
Onebi’s pace, anticipation and skills were too much for the BEML defenders as the striker struck thrice in a span of 16 minutes to complete his hat-trick.
Onebi stabbed home from close in the 10th in a goalmouth melee after a precise cross from the right had created confusion in the BEML defence.
Good move
A fine move by Stephen Lijo on the right wing culminated in Satheesh finding the target from close in the 14th minute. Fellow Nigerian Mathew fed Onebi with a through pass from the middle.
The striker easily shrugged off his marker and flicked the ball past the on-rushing goalkeeper for the third goal in the 22nd minute. Onebi completed his hat-trick with a solo effort from the right wing in the 26th minute.
BEML strung together a few worthy moves. There was nothing much to write home about the BEML attack apart from a few flashes of brilliance from R.C. Prakash. But the striker himself was to blame for missing two gilt-edged opportunities his side got in the first half.
The Bangalore side was allowed to dominate the proceeding in the second half as Josco preferred to play the waiting the game. Josco’s moves were restricted to counterattacks as BEML pushed hard. But Josco defence was impregnable and R.C. Prakash was marked tightly rendering BEML’s attack toothless.
Original article on The Hindu
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Tuesday 2 February 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.