Adenkule equalises for Goans

Mohammed Najeeb, FC Kochin8217;s sparkling striker, netted twice within five minutes after the break to enable the Kerala side surge to a 2-1 lead by the 56th minute, but like the first meeting in Kerala, the match had plenty more to offer.

Salgaocar8217;s Nigerian striker Habib Adenkule levelled the scores on the three quarter mark just when it appeared that Kochin8217;s stout defending and the Goans8217; abject finishing might decide the fate of the match.

The result, that takes the young professional side from Kerala to second on the table after East Bengal, must please coach A Sreedharan who said before the match he would be content with a draw.

But the drawdid little to erase the wrinkles from Salgaocar coach Shabbir Ali8217;s brow as he reflected on the malady of inept finishing that sees the Goans precariously placed despite holding third position in Group B.

Mahindra 4-3 win over Indian Bank today brings the Mumbai team close on Salgaocar8217;s heels 8212; level on 10 points but superior goals difference puts the Goans ahead.

Salgaocar should have been two or three goals to the good by half-time but Venkatesh, badly off target despite his early strike, wasted three gilt-edged chances. Nigerian Jude Odegah and Kenyan William Inganga followed in similar vein and although a goal to the good after 45 minutes, the Salgaocar camp looked more than a little apprehensive.

Surely enough, FC Kochin, kept at bay by a water-tight Salgaocar mid-field, struck with a sprightly display within five minutes from the re-start. Najeeb, in the process, presenting hope for Indian soccer developing a striker of class.

Not surprisingly, the Kerala team caught Salgaocar out on a fastcounter. Helped by a faltering defence in which Francis Coelho floundered and goalkeeper Upendra Mansingh rushed out, Najeeb blasted from the middle into an open goal. A gem followed five minutes later.

Noel Wilson sent a long ball up-field. Nitin Pradhan, with a measured forward short pass, sought Najeeb who found the far corner of the goal with a left-footer.

There was no denying Salgaocar8217;s marginal superiority, though international Bruno Coutinho never stopped trying. Shabbir Ali brought in young Alvito D8217;Cunha for mid-fielder Inganga and replaced the prodigal Venkatesh with Savio Medeira.

After frantic defence staved off a Coutinho corner, the former India skipper spelt danger from a throw-in. A tricky one on the right presented a loose ball for Adenkule who beat the helpless Kochin goalkeeper Casmiro Palha from close range.