Salgaocar survive AI raid

Some rousing play that brought splendid goals somewhat apologised for the absence of crowd pullers Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. But it also pertinently reminded one that Calcutta is not the be-all-and-end-all of Indian soccer.

Rarities in Indian soccer in the form of two ruthlessly executed free-kicks — one a 36th minute match-winner by Aloke Das to bring BMFC three points, the other by Air-India’s Subir Sinha that cut a three-goal deficit to the narrowest, had the crowd in raptures.

Either victor must sit pretty after kicking off their quarter-final campaigns successfully. Salgaocar will meet luckypre-quarterfinal league losers Indian Telephone Industries (ITI) in their next match, needing just a point to qualify for the semi-finals in a three-team group.

BMFC play Jagajit Cotton Textile Mills (JCT) next, with at least a point being a more than an even possibility. Salgaocar were on their way to show why they are considered hot prospects for the forthcoming National League title, running up a 3-0 lead against their bewildered opponents.

Wing-back Augustine Rodrigues slammed home from a Coutinho flag-kick in the 19th minute, his effort helped on its way by Sinha’s attempt to clear.

Then a lightning move made it 2-0, six minutes after the break. Jude Odegah combined with Habib on the left flank, setting up Coutinho to slot past a helpless Yusuf Ansari in goal.

Three-nil it was in the 51st minute. The outstanding Coutinho beat an offside trap, cut past Ajay Acharya to execute a cross that set up the Habib. The Nigerian blasted into an open goal.

The flurry of goals continued, but with a switchof ends. Air-India striker Anthony Fernandes did justice to Abbas Ali Rizvi’s cross, slotting in from the narrowest of angles in the 59th minute.

Salgaocar could have put the match beyond Air-India’s reach had Jos Esteves been on target on the hour in front of an open goal but the match, begging for further drama, had the Mumbai team demonstrating another trick.

A free-kick at the edge of the box had a jittery Salgaocar eyeing Godfrey as Sinha rifled in fluently at the last instant past a transfixed wall.

But Air-India reminded rivals of their resourcefulness and tenacity, sparked inevitably by the mercurial Godfrey Pereira who replaced striker Nitin Shetty in the second half.

Guided by the shrewd Shabbir Ali, the Goa league champions were quick to exploit a weakness in the airmen’s ranks. Youngster Osbern D’Souza, pitch-forked into battle, was clearly overawed by the occasion.

The evergreen international Bruno Coutinho, Nigerians Jude Odegah and Habib Adekulne provided the rookie wing-back a truebaptism by fire. Osbern’s inclusion in place of injured Debadas Sen, necessitating coach Bimal Ghosh to move the regular Subir Sinha to stopper, might be construed a mistake in tactics.

But for all that, Air-India fought back amazingly and with a luck could have squared honours had striker Anthony Fernandes put away a gilt-edged chance on the three-quarter mark.

Salgaocar, learnt their lesson late, but slowing the game down were able to keep the rampaging airmen at bay as time ticked away.

Kenyan midfielder William Inganga, making a late entry drew Air-India ‘keeper to another spectacular save. Rodrigues pouncing on the rebound shot wide off the near post to deny Salgaocar a two-goal cushion.