Riding on defender Prakash’s winner, Bharath Earth Movers Limited edged Postal 2-1 in the final Super Division League tie for both teams on Friday.
After Samuel Jackson’s lead for the Earth Movers was cancelled out by Postal’s Deepan, Prakash’s solo effort in the second half sealed victory for BEML. The Earth Movers finished third with 30 points, while Postal signed off after securing 10th place with 12 points.
In the 11th minute, BEML’s Tiken Singh dribbled down the right flank and squared to Nigerian import Jackson, who deflected home from close range for a 1-0 lead.
With the Earth Movers pressing forward, Postal looked to attack on the counter and equalised midway through the first half. Captain Einstein relayed a ball from the circle to Deepan, who dribbled down quickly and slammed it straight at BEML custodian S Rajan.
A fumbling Rajan allowed the ball to roll into the net.
Postal’s hopes of clinching a draw were dented three minutes into the hour when striker Srinivas was sent off for a second bookable offence. He had picked up his first yellow for a rough tackle on Tiken, and the second for a foul on Jotin.
In the 72nd minute, Prakash dribbled from his own half and sent a screaming shot into the net as BEML ended the season with most goals (47) scored by a team. Prakash received a second yellow card nine minutes later for dissent.
In the day’s earlier match, MEG defeated BEL 3-2. While Lokeshwar Singh (2nd), Arvind Raj (50th) and Dhanji Singh (81st) netted for the Sappers, Suman (79th) and Sureen (89th) were on target for BEL.
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