Indian Bank shocks ITI 2-1 in lung opener

Indian Bank celebrated their return to the elite group in style, shocking local giants Indian Telephone Industries Sports Club 2-1 in their seventh National Football League lung opener at Hyderabad on Tuesday.

The Chennai based outfit was down 0-1 at half-time and it was their Sri Lankan recruit Imran Mohammed's twin strikes that enabled them to kick-start their campaign with a win at the Bangalore Football Stadium.

Mohammed found the target in the 60th minute off a pass from Kasun Nadika Jeyasuria, another recruit from the island nation, to level the match.

In the 81st minute, he scored with a superb header off a clinical ball from Hamilton Bobby to seal the match for Indian Bank, coached by former India Captain V P Satyan.

Earlier, it was ITI who forged ahead in the eighth minute with a header from Najeeb's off an Akshay Das cross. The local side had finished in the seventh position in the NFL last year and dominated the first half.

But things changed dramatically thereafter as the bankmen, promoted from the second division after three seasons, raised their game in second half.

ITI, coached by another former India captain Shabbir Ali, had a chance to equalise in the 74th minute but Najeeb's shot was well saved by Indian Bank goalkeeper Felix Edward.

Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03