BoI inch closer to Super 7

Akbar Travels, who had finished sixth in the Super 6 last year, took the field today without their star performer Jonathan 8216;Bobo8217;. Though their other foreign recruit, Ezekal Okwulum exerted a lot of pressure up front, the Akbar Travels players looked worn out. And once Shankar Thakur put the bankmen ahead in the 18th minute, their struggling opponents looked a defeated unit. The second goal by Salesh Jadhav, which went in through the hands of the Akbar Travels8217;custodian Naufil sealed the fate of the match.

Akbar Travels were unlucky not to get a penalty when Ezekal was brought down in the box, but a few minutes later when Jadhav entered the Akbar Travels8217;six-yard-box and was tripped, the referee was quick to point at the penalty spot. However, Hassan Rizvi made a mess of the shot, pummeling the ball over the crossbar.

The second match, which was only of academic interest, was fast paced and the sailors did their best to redeem their standing in the Elite Division. Though as usual the CRMD players operated from their box, the Indian Navy players, especially Shaji D8217;Silva, worked hard to create openings. However against the run of play, Asif Jamal scored for CRMD in the 43rd minute. After the lemon break, the sailors exerted a lot of pressure and missed quite a few chances. But then substitute Ramesh Kumar scored in the 65th minute to level the game, and P Kumar pumped in the winner in the 75th minute after goalkeeper Shanmugam fumbled while collecting a grounder.