In a match that revolved around mid-field with sudden bursts of adrenaline, the short striker struck ten minutes from time to lay the Policemen flat in an evenly-contested semifinal fixture at the Bangalore Football stadium.
MEG, who have been in rich vein of form in this tournament scoring at will, got off to a rocking start after KSP’s Girish handled Vineet’s long cross 48 seconds into the contest.
Referee Michael had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot. Ramu stepped in a minute later and thundered it past Nagendra as the Sappers led 1-0 even before most of the spectators could take their seats.
Clawing back from an early strike against a tough opponent, was never going to be easy but the Policemen were not rattled and countered immediately with some good mid-field play.
Led by their veteran Sampath Kumar, KSP rotated play well but failed to pierce the Sappers’ tight defence.
Midway through the first-half, the Policemen nearly equalised when Srinath’s powerful volley just sailed over, their first shot on goal.
Pushing hard, the Policemen were finally rewarded through a set-piece action in the 28th minute. Sampath delivered a perfect ball into the box, and captain Pradeep BV rose high to head it past an advancing Sappers’ custodian Malay Paul.
With three minutes left for the interval, MEG’s Shiyad tested KSP twice with his dangerous long throw-ins but the Policemen hunted them down with ease.
Both teams shared possession after the break although MEG came close to restoring the lead twice.
First, Nagendra kept out a brilliant Nguernilal effort from the right and Suraj Singh then headed out from close range.
Just when the match was heading towards extra-time, the Sappers suddenly burst into life from the 78th minute leaving the Policemen gasping. In the 80th minute, Suraj Singh unleashed an aerial ball to Nguernilal, who chested it down and slammed it home.
In the second semifinal on Saturday, HASC will take on BEML.
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