Southern Blues ended Postal’s unbeaten run with a freakish second-half goal in the Super Division football league at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Monday.
Deepu Kumar’s strike in the 51st-minute, handed Blues their second consecutive win as the curling kick from the right-flank corner, was deflected onto own goal by Postal custodian Ravindran.
After a drab first-half, the goal changed the texture of the match dramatically, propelling intense action at either ends interspersed with some rough play. Referee Elangovan flashed six yellow cards in the match, all after the goal, and sent off Postal’s Arun in the 85th minute for picking two of them.
Both goalkeepers were rarely tested in the opening session and Blues had a decent chance moments after resumption but Udaya Kumar’s header went over the bar.
Postal responded with Venkatesh serving Srinivas on the right and latter’s header slipped out of Blues guardian Nikhil Bernard only to rattle the bar. Postal’s frustration surmounted when they conceded their first goal this season in the very next minute.
Blues came close to doubling the lead in the 56th minute but Ashok’s shot hit the right-hand post. Three minutes later, Postal almost restored parity when Arun’s angled shot from right trickled inches wide.
Postal continued to attack with Srinivas working hard upfield even as Blues returned the favour with some quick counter-attacks. Roy shot straight into Ravindran during one of those counter moves .
The dying minutes too were not devoid of drama as Postal players vociferously argued for a hand ball in the rival box but referee stuck to his decision.
In the last minute, Ravindran collected a back pass from defender Ramesh to concede a free-kick inside the box. Deepu came close to completing a brace but his swirling kick hit the left-hand post. Postal and Blues have 11 and 10 points respectively after six outings each.
Other result: ‘A’ Division: AGORC: 2 (Imauakham 32nd, Janakiram 87th) bt BUFC: 0.
Tuesday’s matches: ‘A’ Division: Tilak Memorial vs RBI. 1.45 pm; Super Division: ADE vs Oriental, 3.45 pm.
