Gritty SUFC edge lacklustre SAI

A fine show from goalkeeper Nagendra coupled with a gritty performance from defenders saw Students Union FC eke out a 1-0 win over Sports Authority of India (SAI) in their BDFA Super Division League fixture at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Thursday.

The first real chance came to SAI striker Sabir Khan, who fired his shot straight to SUFC goalkeeper in the third minute after collecting a penetrative through ball from Vignesh.

Three minutes later, Nagendra was again called to action when Sabir dribbled past opponent defenders and hit a low shot at the near post, only to be denied by the cautious goalkeeper, who palmed the ball away. 

However, in the 30th minute, Nanda opened the scoring for SUFC when he pounced on a loose ball thwarted away by SAI goalkeeper Muthu to smash it back into the net.

SUFC missed a good chance to double their lead five minutes from the break, when Chandru raced ahead of his marker to send in a delightful cross, but Nanda under pressure from SAI defenders, hit it horribly over the bar.

SAI dominated possession for the rest of the match and attacked relentlessly but SAI players defended with good discipline. 

Sabir had a great chance to equalise in the 68th minute when Vignesh made a darting run and sent in a pass along the ground from left wing, but Nagendra dived in to his right, to make the save.

Unable to break the SUFC defence, frustration got the better of SAI players as Sabir was shown a yellow card when he fouled Nagendra in the dying moments of the game.
DH News Service

Results: ‘A’ Division: AGORC: 6 (Naresh 11th, Dada Nabeel 18th, 25th, 35th, 38th, Jai Kumar 40th) bt Bangalore Eagles: 1 (Satish Kumar 8th).