Madras Engineer Group (MEG) kept their title hopes alive in the BDFA Super Division Football League, routing Southern Blues 5-0 at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Sunday.
The Sappers, who are the defending champions, led 2-0 at half time, with the Blues battling hard in the first session. But their resistance crumbled in the second half against sustained MEG pressure, resulting in a demoralising scoreline.
After 11 games, MEG are on 26 points, three behind league leaders Hindustan Aeronautic Sports Club. BEML, the other team in the title race, have 22 points from nine matches.
MEG got off to an excellent start with Nguernilal Hmar powering them ahead in the sixth minute. Dipan Thapa then made it 2-0, banging in a rebound off a Shiyad corner in the 17th minute. Despite the early setbacks, Blues weren’t disheartened but they couldn’t make much headway at the other end, with the MEG defence promptly nipping the attacking intentions of A Roy and Nirmal Kumar.
Even after going two goals up, MEG kept attacking but most of their moves came down the middle, and that allowed the defenders to converge and avert danger. Close to half time, Blues goalkeeper Dayalan produced a brilliant save to deny Nguernilal his second goal.
Blues started the second half well, with Udhaya Kumar directing a Roy corner goalward with a firm header. It was cleared off the line by Shiyad and from then on, it was all MEG.
They started using the wings more and soon, there was plenty of space to be had in the middle. Ramu set up the third MEG goal, dribbling down the right flank and pulling the ball back for substitute Gabriel to do the rest. As Blues abandoned caution and moved up, MEG slotted in two more goals, with Nguernilal striking in the 63rd minute, and Gabriel finding the mark in the 66th.
In the ‘A’ Division, HMT defeated Bangalore United Football Club 4-1. Madesh (34th minute), Suresh (48th), Vikram (63rd) and Benjamin (83rd) scored for HMT. Sashi (58th) and Amith (90th) netted for BUFC.
Monday’s matches: ‘A’ Division: Tilak Memorial vs Dharmaraja Union (1.45 pm). Super Division: SAI vs ADE (3.45 pm).
