In the opening match of the 36th Mathrubhumi Kerala State Club Football Championship, Unity Soccer, Idukki scored an easy win over Ernakulam's Eagles FC at the SKMJ High School Floodlit Stadium, Wayanad. In the second match of the day, Frontline defeated Sunlight FC in front of their home crowd.
Unity Soccer showed great understanding of counter attacking football as three of their four goals against Eagles FC came from counter attacks. Eagles FC taken by surprise had no reply to their attacks. Eagles FC took the lead early on through AM Sumesh in the fourth minute.
But, Unity equalized a couple of minutes later through their striker EP Jineesh who left the ground with four goals to his name. Jineesh gave his team the lead in the 18th minute and followed it up by two more strikes in the 71st and 75th minute. The match ended 4-1 in favor of Unity Soccer.
In the other match of the day, Pathanamthitta's Sunlight FC were beaten by host Wayanad's Frontline FC 3-1. Sunlight FC took the lead in the 39th minute through Ahammed Hamfraz. Frontline FC's Ansar equalized in the 42nd minute and later gave them the lead in the 56th minute. Shameer's strike in the 66th minute doubled the lead for Frontline.
The tournament was inaugurated by MP Veerendra Kumar, Managing Director of Mathrubhumi Daily. President of Wayanad District Football Association (WDFA) and a Director at Mathrubhumi, AJ Vijayapathman also presided the function.
In the second match day, Malabar United FC takes field against Thrissur's Soccer Face Chalakudy while Wayanad's Falcons Kalpetta face Alappuzha Elevens.
February 11, 2011: 16:30 IST - Malabar United FC (Ernakulam) vs Soccer Face Chalakudy (Thrissur)
18:30 IST - Falcons Kalpetta (Wayanad) vs Alappuzha Elevens (Alappuzha)
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Friday 11 February 2011, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.