Salgaocar overcome the jitters

If the first semi-final between Churchill and Jagatjit Cotton and Textiles Mills (Phagwara) was drab, this match went beyond comprehension.There were so many jittery moments for Salgaocar that they looked like they were playing in their first semi-final match ever.

Initially, the defence fumbled and nearly presented Mahindras’ Manjit Singh with two chances in the first 10 minutes. If the defence settled down later, it was the mid-field and forwards that lacked cohesion.

Only if left-half Khalid Siddique did not have to make way for Naushad Moosa, the result would have been different. “Khalid was tired and he sustained some injury. I was left withno choice but to play Naushad,” said Mahindras’ coach SS Hakim.

The game which saw more mis-passes and fumbles than good moves, sputtered to life briefly. Salgaocar scored the goal, missed the penalty and at the other end, Manjit let slip two gilt edged chances.

Mahindra defence, which had held off Salgaocar threat till then, was breached twice in as many minutes.

Moosa’s lethargy was fully exploited by Salgaocar. In the first instance, in the 75th minute, Brazalian Joao Pereira Dos Santos ran through on Habib Adenkunle’s cross, past Moosa and shot. Goalkeeper S Rajan made a bold save in a one-to-one situation. Unfortunately for Mahindras, the ball rolled kindly towards Alvito and he slotted in.

Two minutes later, Alvito turned the provider and Santos ran past Christopher. The defender’s late tackle brought down the Brazilian. But the penalty was missed by Alvito, who hit wide of the left post. That was the second missed penalty in the tournament and fourth in the season so far.“I do not know whatto do. I have changed the players taking the award, but the misses continue. It perplexes me,” said Salgaocar coach Shabir Ali.