Goals from Murugappan and Gopi powered South United FC to a comfortable 2-0 victory over Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in the BDFA Super Division league at the Bangalore Football stadium on Monday.
The win moved South United to 14 points from seven matches, level with second placed Army Service Corps, while ADE remain on 10 points from seven games.
The Raman Vijayan-coached side played the more flowing football in the first half and looked like scoring any moment. Stephen, Gopi and Amoes were in fine fettle dodging rival defence with their dribbles and shimmies.
In the 23rd minute, ADE suffered a setback after Anto Xavier was brought down by a reckless tackle from South United’s Barun Oraon. While Xavier was stretchered out of the ground, Oraon was expectedly shown the way out with a red card by referee C Leo.
When the game resumed after a five-minute delay, Sridhar replaced Xavier.
South United put the disappointment behind to open their account in the 30th minute with a well-executed goal from Murugappan through the right.
In the 31st minute, ADE’s Karthik was sent off with a red card for elbowing South United’s Edwin Bosula. The Super Division debutants continued their good work as Gopi slotted in off a Murugappan cross in the 40th minute.
The second half was relatively uneventful with South United enjoying greater possession. In the 55th minute, Murugappan’s shot from inside the box flew over the crosspiece as South United missed a chance to extend their lead.
ADE would attack sporadically with Kumar and Lokesh checking the South United defence at times. Kumar had an opportunity in the 74th minute but fired the shot wide while Lokesh’s header off a corner in the 80th minute clipped the post.
South United defended well in the last 10 minutes to ward off any threats from ADE to come away with full points.
In the first match, KSP drew 2-2 with RWF. Pradeep (62nd) and Karthick M (75th) scored for the Policemen, while Prakash (24th, 67th) struck a brace for RWF.
Tuesday’s matches: KGF BEML Sports Club vs Students Union (1.00 pm) HASC vs Postal FC (3.00 pm)
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