Salgaocar take full points
from NFL opener
Our Correspondent
Former champions Salgaocar, Goa, began their campaign
in the sixth edition of the National Football League with a solitary goal victory over FC Kochin at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday.
The all-important goal for the 1998-99 champions, who finished sixth out of 12 teams in the last edition of the tournament, was scored by Nigerian striker Glador O'Zaire, in the 47th minute.
O'Zaire latched on to a Bello Rasaq pass from the left flank and placed between the feet of Kochin goalkeeper Ali Abubakar.
Salgoacar could have won by a bigger margin had they made good even half of the chances that came their way, particularly in the second session.
The runners-up of the Goa professional league started off with some quick passing and pressuried the Kochin goal in the initial stages. In the 10th minute their hardworking striker Alvito D'Cunha was well-placed to score but his powerful shot sailed over the bar.
The Kerala team came by their best chance in the 31st minute, but Josiah Seton's shot lacked the power to beat Salgaocar 'keeper Kalyan Chowbey.
Salgaocar had another chance to score in the 35th minute when Eugene Gray sent a pass to O'Zaire, but the last-named shot inches off the upright.
Three minutes before the breather, Kochin were reduced to ten men when defender Martin
Mathew was given marching orders by referee S Suresh from Tamil Nadu
after being shown his second yellow card for rough play.
In the second session, Salgaocar brought in veteran Bruno for Majeko Bolaji, which lent more thrust to their attack. But despite holding the whiphand after they forged ahead in the 47th minute they failed to score again.
In the 49th minute, Salgoacar could have consolidated their lead,
but Zaire's shot from the top of the box went over the bar. Then, in the 63rd minute, Coutinho's power-packed shot off a pass from Eugene Grey, was well saved by the Kocin keeper.
Coutinho had another attempt in the 70th minute but Abubaker fisted it over.
National Football League summary
