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Hayward Sporting swamps SBT

By Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI APRIL 23. Nigerian striker Dudu Machpherlin Omagbemi wrecked havoc in the rival defence as Hayward Sporting, Goa swamped State Bank of Travancore 5-2 in the opening match of the Second Division National Football League finals, at the Ambedkar Stadium here on Wednesday.

Dudu swept into action after an unusually sedate start that saw the Kerala team go one up very early in the match. S. Ignatious caught the Goans napping as he slotted home in the fifth minute on a pass from the right flank.

Buoyed by the early breakthrough, SBT made a few more forays through its forward-line spearheaded by Ignatious and N. P. Pradeep. In the 10th minute, Ignatious got a clearance from Pradeep but his short ranger was punched out by the Goan 'keeper Felix D'Souza.

Haywards' defence looked fragile, but the Goans regrouped themselves well in time. Joseph Pereira made the first move for Haywards and shot a powerful left-footer from 30-yard line. The ball seemed to sail under the bar but SBT custodian P. V. H. Rehman showed good reflexes to put it out.

Dudu warmed himself for the onslaught when he beat the goalkeeper in the 22nd minute. The ball rolled past Rehman but Vinu Jose made a goal-line save. But only just.

In the very next minute, Bibiano Fernandes sent an aerial pass from the left, which Amaechi Omagbemi headed in for an equaliser. Dudu then made a solo run down the right and banged in a left-footer for 2-1, in the 24th minute.

The complexion of the game changed immediately. Pereira sent a cross from left of the goalkeeper but Amaechi muffed up the chance. In the 40th minute, Dudu made an excellent run from the centre before he cleared for Pereira to head home for a 3-1 lead.

The Nigerian striker was in a spectacular form as he sprung yet another solo run and banged in for 4-1 lead.

On changing the ends, Ignatious again handed SBT some respite on his solo effort. On a pass from Pradeep, Ignatious struck home in the 56th minute.

But, there was hardly any time left for the Kerala team to rally. Dudu made the hay as he scored his third goal of the match when he sprinted past Vinu Jose from the centre of the ground and slotted home.

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