Local favourites Sports Authority of India Training Centre (STC) Bangalore overcame 10-man STC Calicut with a late goal to win the SAI South Zone inter-hostel football tournament at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Friday.
Akram N B slotted the winner in the third minute of extra-time in a marathon battle marked by fierce exchanges and rough tackles. A goal eluded both sides in regulation time though Bangalore dominated their rivals in patches. The Calicut forwardline failed to fire once again, spoiling the hard work of their midfielders Manoj P K and Ismail K.
Unlike in the league stage, a comparatively dry field provided the players ample opportunity to increase the pace but hardly any real chances came their way in the first session. Calicut, while struggling to break the shackles, received a blow when injured striker Naseem P was forced to leave the field in the 22nd minute, to be replaced by Rahul V P.
In the second half, Calicut lifted their game but they could not create many scoring opportunities. Bangalore almost secured the lead in the 50th minute but Akram’s powerful right-footer sailed over the bar.
Calicut were reduced to ten men in the 63rd minute when Lahanas T R received his second yellow card, and subsequently the marching orders, from referee Balasubramaniam for rough play. Two minutes from regulation time, Akram missed a golden opportunity to seal the issue for the hosts as he failed to turn in a cross from captain Kenneth Arokiaraj into an open goal and the match moved into extra-time.
Raghavendra then conjured a beautiful move, dribbling past two defenders, but his eventual shot was blocked by a diving Shahinlal M. An unmarked Akram pounced on the rebound and slammed it to the left corner of the goal.
Much drama was still in store as Bangalore attempted to play out time, allowing Calicut to launch consecutive raids. The second half of extra-time was the best phase for Calicut in the entire match but Bangalore held on.