State Bank of Travancore defeated Vasco Goa by a solitary goal in a tempestuous semifinal of the GV Raja all-India football tournament at the University stadium, Thiruvanathapuram here on Sunday.
Asif Saheer scored the match-winner in the third minute. SBT managed to ward off a spirited challenge from Vasco largely due to a plucky show by goalkeeper Jean Christian under the bar.
Vasco missed the opportunism of its Nigerian striker Koko Sakibo who had to miss the semifinal match due to suspension. Though Vasco’s midfielders created enough chances, it lack of bite upfront combined with Jean Christian’s brilliance negated most of the efforts.
Ill-tempered match The ill-tempered match saw SBT’s Rakesh being sent off in the 89th minute for fouling Chanchal Saha in an off the ball incident. Vasco coach Subrata Bhattacharya was also banished to the sidelines by referee C.Leo.
Asif Saheer was in the right position at the right time when Johonson’s first timer from the middle came to him. Asif, was unchallenged and had only the goalkeeper to beat and he did it with minimum fuss to put SBT ahead.
Vasco hit back and Jean Christian made his first save when he parried away a stiff shot from Sibra Nazary in the 10th minute and then recovered in time to collect Ayuba Mangut’s shot off the rebound.
SBT’ had a chance to increase the lead in the 23rd minute when Rakesh’s broke free on the left flank and his centre had found an unmarked Martin John who blasted the shot out from close. Vasco had another chance to restore parity in the first half when Jerose Olieveria’s cross beat the SBT defence but there wasn’t any Vasco striker to nod the ball in.
Vasco goalkeeper Milagreo Medeira was tested early in the second half by Noushad. But the keeper managed to palm away the ball for a corner. At the other end in the 60th minute, Jean made a fine save off a Magut header which had goal written all over it. Jean again came to SBT’s rescue in the 65th minute when he made a fine save off Pango Queterio’s header.
In the last 20 minutes, SBT concentrated on defence, making the occasional counterattack. The match became increasingly foul-ridden and referee Leo had a tough time in controlling it.
But SBT held on to its lead.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Monday 15 February 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.