Students stun the big boys

Promoted side pulls off upset win over HASC

In the second upset in as many days, Students Union produced a gritty performance to stun Hindustan Aeronautics Sports Club (HASC) 1-0 in their BDFA Super Division league game at the Bangalore Football stadium here on Tuesday.

Samanth was the hero for the promoted side, that finished runners-up in the ‘A’ Division last year, scoring in the 68th minute of the match.

Showing early signs of the impending damage, Students Union outfit troubled their more famous opponents with some good passing. Philip took the first shot on target in the 10th minute that flew a little over the crosspiece.

The underdogs kept up the pressure with Abubaker cutting away from a couple of defenders firing a shot that went wide in the 15th minute.

HASC were not quiet either, RC Prakash and Ramesh combined well on the left wing and the former unleashed a shot that went over the crosspiece in the 25th minute. Vinod Kumar and Karthigeyan were busy on the right wing keeping the Students’ defenders guessing.

Philip frittered away a clear goal-scoring chance for Students in the 45th minute, firing the ball wide as teams took half-time goalless.

When the battle resumed, Students were more buzzing on the field cheered on by their drum-beating supporters in the stands.

Samanth was quick in the midfield passing and moving to break through the defence in the 51st minute but not able to strike. In the 68th minute, Samanth made up for coming up short earlier, as he tapped the ball in off a Philip pass from the right sparking off animated celebrations.

For HASC, Vinod Kumar was the culprit in the 79th minute as he missed a header off a Karthigeyan cross. In the 80th minute, RC Prakash with a golden chance to score on a through ball, smashed the ball into Students’ custodian Thomas’ hands.

 Jai’s waste of a freekick just outside the box that went over the crosspiece in the 82nd minute was also one among the many opportunities missed by HASC.

Students could have had a 2-0 victory in the 88th minute but Philip’s shot on the edge of the box was off target.

Other result: Dharmaraja Union: 0 drew Southern Blues: 0.