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MSU wins a heated encounter

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Tuticorin Port team had the game to hold Madras Sporting Union but a spot of madness brought about a shocking finish to the semifinal league match on Saturday in the Champion club football tournament.

For the record MSU won the match 2-1, the match winner coming just four minutes from time. Soon after came Port team’s Joy act of revenge or so it seemed from his blatant foul on MSU’s Ajesh.

So serious was the act that the small crowd in the gallery raised a noise and referee Pradeep did not even wait to reach the spot but came running displaying the Red card on Joy, who was down himself. The entire Tuticorin team and the members on the bench, including coach Kasinath joined the furore.

Pradeep showed no restraint and red carded bench player Nicholas and also the coach. Play stopped momentarily but accusations flew.

The Port team seemed to play with a pre-conceived notion that being a district unit it was unwelcome and in the end gave vent to the feelings in no uncertain way. The flash point was the direct free kick the referee gave from about eight yards outside the box on a handball infringement. The Port players did not see one, protested and when Jackson Samuel sent a curling shot in, the patience ended.

The contest had actually warmed up in the 64th minute when Akinas found the mark to neutralise MSU’s 18th minute headed goal by Basheer.

Earlier, SBI did well to come up with another good show, beating Arrows FC 3-0 to top the pool along with MSU. M. Bhaskar (penalty) in the 57th minute, K.G. Joseph (67th and 77th minutes) were the scorers after a barren first session.

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