FC Kochin surprise Salgaocar
FC Kochin, facing relegation to the second division, shocked former champions Salgaocar, Goa, 2-1 to
garner full points in a crucial match for the Goa side in the sixth National
Football League in Kochi on Sunday.
The Goans, after muffing a couple of chances, were
rewarded when Kochin medio Muhammad failed to tackle a
clearance.
Denis Cabral took possession and sent in a long through
pass to Ambrose in the opponent's territory. The Kochin
players, hoping for an off-side call, did not intercept and
Ambrose shot home.
But even before the Goans' celebrations could die down, Kochin
were awarded a penalty, after Salgaocar captain Coven Lawrence
handled a flag-kick inside the box. Kulothungan, who took the
kick, beat 'keeper Juje Siddi to draw level at one-all.
Kochin then increased the pace of the game. Bijumon, who put
up a sterling display, got possession on the left flank, cut
into the box and took a shot on the run, which deflected off
Coven's foot into the net, much to the delight of the holiday
Crowd, for the match-winner.
The victory was a setback to Salgaocar's aspirations of winning the title. They needed to take full points from this match to stay in the race for homours.
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