Viva Kerala rally to hold HAL
HERALD SPORTS DESK
KANNUR, DEC 18
Viva Kerala and HAL Bangalore played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in a fourth riound match of I-League at Jawahar Municipal Stadium, Kannur on Saturday.
It was the Bengaluru side that went ahead with a second half penalty, but Viva Kerala replied back strongly to equalise in front of their home crowd.
After the lime break, HAL returned with some attacking stint that was lacking in the first half. Into the 3rd minute of the second half, Rajendra Prasad played a ball into the box for striker Malengamba Meitei who was pushed down by Viva’s Sherin Sam. The referee pointed to the penalty spot and J Murali stepped up to take the penalty and converted with ease to score the opener.
With the home crowd getting behind their team, Viva were quickly on attack.Their effort was rewarded in the 50th minute when Anil Kumar headed in a cross from striker Felix. The stadium erupted in cheers as the ball rolled past a helpless HAL custodian.
Viva worked hard to find that winning goal, but failed to do so. Goal scorer Anil Kumar was adjudged man-of-the match.
Viva are still winless in the league with three points from four matches. This was their third consecutive draw.
HAL have seven points from four matches and after starting with back-to-back victories for the Garden City Boys, their spirited performance is fading away as they are battling out hard for every point.
