58th National Football Championship for LG Santosh Trophy, 2002 | Oct 17 - Nov 05, Imphal - Manipur
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Santosh Trophy News
Kerala and Services advances to Semifinal; Preetam Bahadur nets his sixth goal of the Championship
(Manipur Mail) 30 October 2002, 10:00 IST

Defending champion Kerala came from behind and scored a flurry of goals in the second half to eliminate Assam 3-1 today in the group C quarter final match of the G Santosh Trophy. The defending champion moves into the semi-final stage and will face Services in the 1st Semi finals match on 1st November.

In the opening fifteen minutes of the match the two teams had fairly even exchanges. Assam's ace striker, Utpal Basumatary, had a very good chance of scoring in the 33rd minute but his header was well saved by the Bengal goal-keeper, Jitu Chetri.

Abdul Hakkim, who performed exceptionally well in the last Championship for Kerala, was in a good position to take advantage of a cross from right winger Asif Saheer in the 35th minute of the first-half, but his header sailed over the bar.

The lone goal for Assam and the first of the match was netted by Sanjiba Rongpi in the 36th minute. The goal was a result of a fine one to one between Zenith Sharma and Saran Sonar from right wing. The score at half time 1-0 in favour of Assam.

For both the teams this match was extremely important as a win here would guarantee a semi-final berth. For Kerala a mere win would have been enough but Assam needed a win with at least with a two goals difference. Kerala had already defeated Bengal 3-2 in an earlier match.

Almost every Bengali who was there in the stadium supported Assam as a win by Assam with a low margin would have helped Bengal's cause.

Assam, inspite of scoring the first goal could not dominate the proceeding, and it was only a matter of time before Kerala asserted itself. Second half started with Kerala dictating terms and creating some scoring chances. A superb shoot from Asif Saheer in 52nd minute was well saved by Assam custodian. Padum Ralsha was booked a caution in the 57th minute.

Kerala team suddenly changed the game in the 71st minute. The goal came from a penalty as Assam's Kamal Chetri obstructed Asif Saheer just inside the box. Abdul Noushad was booked a yellow by referee in the 75th minute.

A well-directed cross from Usman was given the final touch by Ignatious in the 77th minute, making it 2-11 favour of Kerala. BibekaBorgoyani of Assam and Asif Saheer T were jointly booked cautions each by referee SM Balu in the 78th minute.

Usman who came in as a substitute in the 62nd minute, kicked one over the bar in the 82nd minute from cross by Ignatious. Assam had a great chance to raise the goal margin in the dying minutes of the match but Sankar Barman's kick sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Substitute, Abdul Naushad who came in place of Suresh Babu in the 40th minute of the match netted the final goal for Kerala in the 90th minute, it was the final nail in the coffin for Assam. Ajayan K was awardee the most valuable player of the match.

After the match, speaking to mediapersons, the Assam coach, Ganesh Rai, said that his players seems to have lost their confidence after the first goal by Kerala through a spot kick and quite recovered after that. In another match, last year's semifinalist Railways were pushed out from the Championship by Services today after defeating them in a quarterfinal match of group B by 0-2.

Both teams looked good in the attack early, with both looking likely to score. Services were lucky to open the score in the 13th minute through Preetam Bahadur. The first goal came when a strong header from Ignatious was not collected properly by the Railways custodian Sangram Mukherjee and the resultant rebound was slotted in by Preetam Bahadur.

With an early goal Services took control of the match. Droluyaraj of Services was booked a caution by referee in the 26th minute. Services custodian Abungobi made a fine save of a powerful shot from Railway's M Jegan in the 26th minute.

Scoring chances became frequent towards the end of first half. Two more chances came Railways way in the 35th and 40th minute. Among the two the last one was a very close one. Ansari was the culprit, kicking it over the bar from just inside the box.

Services started the second half as in the first half. During this later half, Preetam Bahadur netted his second goal in the 61st minute through a superb header, from a corner kick by Pradeep Debnath. In the 62nd minute, Masood Ansari of Railways was sent off by referee as he was awarded the caution for second times. Earlier in the 12th minute he was booked for his first offense.

Railways had a good chance to pull one back in the 81st minute from a corner kick but Subhasish Roy Choudhary's kick hit at bar. And it was the only chance which came their way in the second half time for Railways.

Surajit Tigga was booked a caution by referee in the 85th minute. With this win Services will meet Kerala in the Semifinal stage. Preetam Bahadur was awarded the most valuable player of the second match.

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