Karnataka State Police missed several chances before Vinod Kumar’s 83rd-minute winner gave the Cops a 1-0 win over Bharath Electronics Limited in the BDFA Super Division league at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Saturday.
Vinod chested in a right wing cross from Girish at the far post to help his team secure full three points. KSP now have 24 points from 12 matches and BEL are one point behind with as many matches. HASC had already lifted the title two weeks before when the league matches were suspended to conduct inter-collegiate tournament.
However, the runners-up spot is still wide open for Madras Engineer Group and Bharath Earth Movers Limited. Sappers can be assured of a second-place finish if they win on Sunday against BEML, who needed at least to draw their tie to stay in contention.
KSP forwards’ largesse and a couple of good saves from BEL custodian HS Suresh denied the former taking lead. Pradeep BV and Karthick hit the woodwork from close range midway through the first half. Just before the break, Suresh made a reflex save diving to his right to deny Karthigen the success from a close range.
Moments into the second half, Electronicsmen were stopped from opening their account by a stunning save from KSP goalie Nagendra. Jenny Reddy’s 25-yard freekick from the right wing was dipping towards the far corner of the goal before Nagendra stretched out his hands to deflect the ball for a corner.
Cops then squandered a few more sitters before Vinod’s goal saved the day for them.
Other result: ‘A’ Division: BHEL: 3 (Shoban sixth, 85th; Dakshinamurthy 33rd) bt BUFC: 2 (Ramesh 80th, 83rd).
Sunday’s matches: ‘A’ Division: BHEL vs Tilak Memorial, 1:45 pm; Super Division: MEG vs BEML, 3:45 pm.