The Hindu : Sport / Football : State Bank of Travancore draws with Chirag United

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Dec 10, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Football

State Bank of Travancore draws with Chirag United

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT: State Bank of Travancore (SBT) held local challenger Chirag United SC 2-2 in the concluding round of the group ‘A’ league of the 30th Federation Cup football at the Vidyasagar Stadium here on Tuesday.

The other match of the same group also ended in a deadlock with Dempo SC of Goa held 1-1 by Mumbai FC.

Both the matches were only of academic interest as Dempo had already ensured a semifinal berth with its second successive win in the previous round. Interestingly, except for the two wins Dempo had scored against SBT and United SC all the ties in the round recorded drawn results.

Dempo, with seven points after its draw against the Mumbai side, topped the group. Mumbai FC, drawing all its three matches, finished second while Chirag and SBT ended tied with two points each.

Attacking game

Both Chirag and SBT played an attacking game. Chances were created and squandered in equal measure by both sides as neither managed to defend efficiently. Striker Shankar Oraon struck twice for United SC in the first half.

Abdul Hakeem and R. Kannan ensured that the local side did not get a win scoring the equaliser for SBT soon after the former took the lead. All the four goals came in the first session.

Having already ensured qualification, Dempo did not exert much as coach Armando Colaco rested both his foreign recruits Roberto Silva and Ranty Martins and decided to test his bench.

Still Dempo took the lead in the 21st minute when Clifford Miranda nodded home a Joachim Abranches cross.

Mumbai FC equalised before the break riding on a brilliant free-kick by Alex Ambrose.

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

Sport