JOIN USMohan goal gives BEL draw with ASC
ASC were well on their way to victory when a clearance from Arunjit hit the hands of Suresh M inside the box, prompting referee Andrew to point to the spot in the 90th minute. Mohan placed the ball to the right of ASC custodian AK Balwant for the equaliser.
BEL took a shock lead in the 4th minute, Vikram S finding the top of the net from the edge of the box after he was fed by fellow striker Arvind W.
The Armymen took control of the midfield in the rest of the first half. ASC moves became more threatening and with the help of couple of neat saves from goalkeeper Vasudevan S, BEL managed to stay ahead.
But luck soon ran out for BEL when ASC skipper Thirunavurasu earned a penalty after being brought down by Nagaraj S in the 34th. Raghu Kumar sent Vasudevan to the left with a smart kick.
ASC totally dominated the second half but failed to convert their chances and had a goal by Ramachandran in the 77th disallowed. The Armymen went ahead in the 85th when Raghu volleyed home from just outside the area. And just when it seemed as if ASC had the measure of their rivals, BEL received the penalty which Mohan converted.
Costly error
Negligence on the organisers’ part could have cost ASC midfielder B Nitesh dear, but fortunately, he escaped unhurt when he brushed against an iron rod fixed to tighten ropes keeping together a makeshift tent used as temporary dug-out for players.
Nitesh fell on his back after brushing the rod on being fouled by BEL’s Vikram N. The organisers gave out the assurance that they would cover the rods with sand bags from the next match and also promised to erect a temporary dug-out in a couple of days.
“For a permanent dug-out, we have to wait until the next FIFA inspection,” said a BDFA official.
Other result: A division: Govt Press: 1 (Arun Kumar 80th) drew SWR: 1 (A D Kumar 38th).