Bharat Earth Movers Limited's (BEML) agonising wait for the runners-up slot in the Super Division league continued as they were held 1-1 by a fighting Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Tuesday.
BEML (30 points) now have to win their last tie against KSP to obliterate MEG on goal difference for a second-place finish behind champions HASC.
A header by Sanath Kumar in the 34th minute gave BEML the vital lead, but their joy was short-lived as rival skipper Jenny Freddy restored parity six minutes later to steal a point as Electronicsmen finished the proceedings with 27 points.
BEML forwards Gopi and Abdullahi Hamza turned the heat on BEL defenders right from the start on a chilly evening but the duo time and again faltered while providing finishing touches.
After spurning a number of chances, BEML broke the shackles when Sanath connected a Gopi pass from right with perfection.
But BEML’s reputation suffered a severe jolt when Arvind’s 35-yard free-kick near the touch line on the right swirled over a crowded box. An unmarked Freddy darted in from the left and slotted in a angled drive.
The first 15 minutes after the break was probably the best phase of the match when BEL matched their rivals with threatening raids. Gradually, BEML seized initiative but they ran out of ideas inside the opponents’ box.
Sanath spoiled an open chance by shooting wide in the 62nd minute. Five minutes later, BEL were lucky not to go down again when a Gopi effort deflected off a defender and hit the left post.
BEL, on the other hand, were often caught in the off-side trap but Arvind almost set up an upset when his angled shot missed the target by a whisker six minutes from time.
Other result: ‘A’ Division: Government Press: 2 (Dhanaseelan 3rd, Anthony Benedict 21st) bt Sri Gajanana: 1 (Gautham 58th).
Wednesday’s matches: ‘A’ Division: Rail Wheel Factory vs Dharmara Union, 1.45 pm; Super Division: SAI vs DYSS, 3.45 pm.
