The Hindu : Sport / Football : Shivalkar is AI’s hero

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 18, 2007
ePaper

Sport

Sport - Football

Shivalkar is AI’s hero

Special Correspondent

MUMBAI: Skipper Naresh Shivalkar played an inspired game in the frontline to guide Air-India to its first victory in six matches, scoring the ONGC Cup I-League match-winner against Kingfisher East Bengal.

He buried a thundering shot on the run into the net, in the 62nd minute, leaving India’s best goalkeeper Subrata Pal clutching empty air.

Early onslaught

AI withstood early EB onslaughts, initiated by Alvito D’Cunha’s exquisite left-footed passes and Mehtab Hossein’s darting runs into spaces.

Foreign strikers Edmilson Pardal and MacDonald Mukanshi whipped shots goalwards as the home team gained firm control over the match.

AI, dangerous at the Cooperage against any side, went ahead in the 62nd minute after an action-packed first half, then worked tirelessly to retain ball possession till the end.

Shivalkar, named ‘man of the match’, hovering around the goalmouth on the lookout for the half-chance, timed his diagonal run from the left, as Vijith Shetty swung the ball across the goalmouth, and connected first-time.

Pal was beaten by the change in angle of attack.

Pal to the rescue

To his credit, Pal had plenty to do to keep EB in the hunt. When Bashiru sneaked in behind the defence to latch onto an Uttam Singh long throw-in, the goalkeeper blocked the threat.

The Nigerian then jabbed a left-footed shot into the post past an unsighted goalkeeper.

Pal calmed the nerves in the EB dugout with a diving save to avert a self-goal after defender Soumik Dey, under pressure to clear a Uttam throw-in, almost headed into his own net.

AI’s first win boosts its points tally to seven (from six matches), the same as East Bengal.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport