JOIN USBEML, KSP settle for draw
KSP will feel hard done by after creating much of the chances while BEML will look back and feel relieved to take home a point, having been lacklustre throughout the match.
BEML opened the scoring, basically their only real chance in the entire ninety minutes, through a penalty from Karthigeyan in the 37th minute.
Bharath Kumar brought down Nagesh Kumar, who was making a nice run from the right, inside the penalty box and referee Vijaya Kumar duly pointed to the spot. Karthigeyan stepped up and struck it sweetly past the goalkeeper Nagendra’s left to give his side an unexpected lead.
KSP had earlier created a couple of decent half chances but failed to find the necessary final strike to bulge the net. The equaliser came their way in the 44th minute. BEML defender Ramesh made a hash of a routine clearance off a left-wing cross from Arun Kumar. The ball fell kindly on the far post to Inayathulla, who nonchalantly struck it past BEML custodian Nezar.
The second half bore the same script as the first, with play primarily locked in midfield and wayward passes and late tackles being very much the order of the day. KSP had their best two chances in the final minutes of the match. The first opportunity came Kiran Kumar way after he found space off a Pradeep BV freekick. But his left-footed shot from 16 yards out was well kept out by Nezar.
Minutes later, Inayathulla broke free and found the perfect ball to Arun Kumar who chose to chip the goalkeeper from ten yards instead of taking a shot, giving Rezan an easy save to make and BEML a share of the spoils.
Other result: ‘A’ Division: ADE: 4 (Santhosh 10th, 70th, Murugan 17th, Kenal Lama 39th) bt Southern Blues: 3 (Sridhar 3rd, 74th, 79th).