FC Kochin notches up first win

FC Kochin survived a barrage of attacks from debutants Punjab Police in the closing stages of the game before winning 2-0 in their home match in a National Football League match on Monday.

The local outfit drew first blood in the 42nd minute through striker Sushant Mathew, who banged home a through-pass by V P Shaji off a long clearance from defender Obinna Winners.

Shaji, who muffed a couple of chances, made amends in the 57th minute to seal the fate of the match. Defender Roopesh who got possession inside his own half, sent in a long overhead pass to Sushant on the right flank, who cut past a defender and squared into the danger zone for Shaji to do the rest.

With this win, FC Kochin have increased their points tally to five from as many matches. The policemen are yet to open their points tally, having lost all their matches so far.

The local outfit, who enjoyed a clear edge over their rivals, could have won by a much bigger margin, but for poor marksmanship by the frontliners. The main culprit was Liberian Josiah Seton who wasted a couple of chances in the early stages of the second session.

The policemen too had a golden chance in the 30th minute, but striker Sher Singh messed it up. FC Kochin keeper Ali Abubaker managed to avert the danger in his second attempt.

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