JOIN USSouth United stay in hunt
South United FC kept their title hopes alive with a 3-1 win over Postal in the BDFA Super Division League at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Sunday.
The new entrants moved up to second spot with 11 points from six matches, while Postal have six points from as many games.
South United took the lead through Murugappan in the sixth minute. Postal goalkeeper Ravindran was out of position after the ball took a deflection off defender Ricky Joy and Murugppan’s first-time volley from outside the area beat Ravindran, though he got a hand to it.
Thereafter South United dominated the proceedings. Postal equalised against the run of play after South United defender Amit Raj Banshi handled the ball inside the area and Chetan Kumar slotted home the resultant penalty in the 27th minute.
South United had a close shave four minutes later when defender Edwin Bosula’s mistake allowed Cyril to fire one from close range. However, the shot rebounded off the cross bar.
South United regrouped and pressed forward. Midfielder G Vignesh could not keep his volley down in the 33rd minute and soon Murugappan failed to connect properly from inside the area. But their persistence bore fruit in the opening minute of first-half stoppage time as Amoes’ left-footer beat Ravindran hands down.
South United continued to call the shots after the break. Amoes’ free-kick was parried away by Ravindran in the 51st minute. The team, coached by Raman Vijayan, ensured full points in the very next minute with Stephen scoring off a fine through ball by Gopi from the left wing.
Though Venaktesh replaced striker Kenneth and Einstein came on for Srinivasan (Sr), Postal could not force their way back into the game. Madhu Karan missed a fine chance to add one more to South United’s tally as he shot over from close range in the 72nd minute.
Earlier, BUFC rallied to down Bangalore Mars 3-2 in an exciting ‘A’ Division tie. Mars were in control with early strikes by John Gilbert (9th) and U Babu (14th). But BUFC pulled one back through Choti in the opening minute of added time in the first half.
Clivert restored parity in the 43rd minute and Rakesh netted the winner in the 71st minute.
Monday’s matches: A Division: LRDE vs Bangalore Kickers (1.00 pm)
Super Division: KSP vs ASC (3.00 pm)