HAL squander points again

City’s numero uno team, HAL failed yet again to register full points in the ongoing I-League 2nd Division group A qualifiers against Malabar United at the Bangalore Football Stadium. This is their 3rd consecutive draw in 4 games. In another match, SBT registered their maiden victory over Chandni FC 1-0.

What would have termed as an opportunity to garner full points ended in a tame 1-1 draw and one wonders how HAL was at the receiving end in most of the time.

HAL lacked that extra urge to go for the kill thru the entire game. It was Malabar who went on attacking at the beginning of the game. After raiding HAL’s defense for couple of time, Malabar United opened their account in the 15th minute – overseas player Loveday put a brilliant cross for Sebastian, who fooled the HAL defense, and only had the marching keeper Amar Deb in front. He dribbled past the keeper and shot the ball to the goal.

After conceding the goal, HAL came back to the game and forced couple of corners in quick succession. Fredrick’s goal was cancelled by the referee after he committed foul on Malabar’s keeper.

It was Fredrick Okwagbe again in the 32nd minute followed the ball from a corner in a packed Malabar defense and scored the equalizer.

If it was bad luck and complacency that deprived HAL from winning in their last 2 games, today, it was a poor show in general – the passes were inaccurate in most of the time, midfield lacked coordination with defense, and both the flanks operated slowly. Surely, they missed the service of their midfielder Murali, who was out of the match due to injury.

Malabar missed to score from close range couple of times in the second half. In the 50th minute, Loveday stretched the ball from the half, defeated a defender by pace, and floated the ball for Prasoon, who only failed get past the keeper.

A minute later Prasoon failed to score yet again, and this time goal keeper was not in his position.

HAL too missed easy chances and failed to take lead. Patrick Okwagbe was the culprit in 65th minute, he took too long to shoot the ball to the goal, and finally blocked by the opponents defender.

HAL played aimless football for the later part and many times they were playing the catching game.

HAL needs to win their next game against Golden Threads on Sunday, April 11 to be on a safe zone.

Result:

• HAL 1 (Fredrick Okwagbe 32') versus Malabar United 1 (Jacken Sebastian 15')
• SBT 1 (Mohammad Aslam-74') beat Chandni F.C 0

Tuesday’s match:

Titanium versus Golden Threads, 4pm

Golden Threads upsets SBT

New entrant to the I-League 2nd Division, Golden Threads (from Ernakulam) started their journey in an exciting fashion after defeating SBT 2-1. In the other match, Malabar United, Kochi drew with Chandni F.C, Calicut 1-1.

What was anticipated by the Golden Threads management came true! Today morning while talking to GardenCity Soccer Stars, they predicted that the unknown factor and playing as an underdog would help in their way. That was exactly displayed in the match today.

SBT took the lead in the in the 17th minute of the match. However, their joy was short-lived, foreign recruit Onome leveled the score through a penalty in the 33rd minute.

Second-half started in a positive note for Golden Threads, they were dominating the game. The second goal came from some individual skills from Onome and equally bad defense from SBT. Onome toyed with 4 defenders and passed the ball to unmanned Sanjay Vannara, who kept his head cool and pushed the ball to the left side of the keeper.

Unfortunately in the 60th minute, SBT scorer Rakesh was shown marching order (after 2 yellow cards) and SBT had to play with 10 men for the rest of the match. However, the blow didn’t dampen the spirits of the bankmen, they looked up for scoring opportunities. Twice they came close to scoring; the long ranger shot closely missed the goalpost in few occasions.

SBT has task cut out to qualify for the final round. The former I-League 1st Division team is missing few key players from injury, etc, which would make their cause difficult.

Results:

• Golden Threads 2 (Onome-33' [(Penalty] and Sanjay Vannara-54') beat SBT 1 (Rakesh 7-17')
• Malabar United 1 (Jitesh CK-77' [(Penalty]) Chandni F.C 1 (Zubair KP 78)

Tomorrows match:

• HAL versus BEML, 4.15 pm

All-Kerala Team Meets in Bangalore

Inaugural day of the I-League 2nd Division Group A qualifiers will witness as many as 4 Kerala vying against each other. 

New entrant to the I-League 2nd division, Golden Threads plays the first match against traditional football powerhouse from Kerala, SBT. In the other match of the day, Chandni FC clashes with Malabar United.


SBT coach and former India international player VP Shaji sounded confident about faring well in this tournament. Shaji has been a seasoned campaigner for SBT during his football days, played SBT for 9 seasons and now he is back as a coach.

Earlier SBT made to the I-league Division 1 for few seasons, however, their stay at the top division had been irregular. Last time they played at the top division was on 2004-05 season.

Though both teams SBT and Golden Threads come from the same state, but they haven’t met before. With 7 state players in their side, SBT is ready to take the challenge of Golden Threads.

Coached by veteran Najeeb, Malabar United plays the next match against Chandni FC. Najeeb is just 4-months old in the office. He feels that his team is not bad, he has 2 foreigners from Nigeria in the defense and striker position, and confident enough to fair well in this tournament.
  

Matches on Saturday, March 27

Golden Threads versus SBT, 2.15 pm
Chandni F.C versus Malabar United, 4.15 pm