KANNUR, FEB 3
Viva Kerala’s misery in the I-League 2010-11 campaign continued as the home team was beaten 2-0 by reigning league champions Dempo in a Round XIII match at Jawahar Municipal Stadium, Kannur on Thursday.
Viva Kerala went into the match making some unexpected changes in the starting line-up. The team operated in a 4-1-3-2 formation with their new signing N P Pradeep playing the role of a holding midfielder. Tamil Nadu’s V Murugappan found his place in the starting eleven instead of midfielder Ummer Faroque. Felix Chimaokwu was replaced by Anil Kumar PK to partner CS Sabeeth in the attacking line.
The first half of the match saw Viva Kerala and Dempo creating several goal scoring opportunities but saw their efforts in vain as the goalkeepers played on top of their game. Shahinlal Meloly and India international custodian Subhashish Roy Chowdhury did very well to prevent the half time score to remain goalless despite several chances on goal for Kerala and Goan outfits.
Dempo’s deadly duo Ranti Martins Soleye and Roberto Mendes Silva were quick to test the resolve of the home team. It all began with Silva, also known as Beto whose free kick from 35 yards out flew just wide of the goal in the 5th minute. Ten minutes later, it was Ranti Martins who saw his shot flying wide from a close range effort.
Viva Kerala created their first opportunity in the 16th minute through Anil Kumar. The counter-attack began with a clearance from Chinta Chandrasekhar to Anil Kumar who dribbled past the Dempo back line to take a pop on goal, but the shot lacked accuracy. A couple of minutes later, there would have been a goal at the other end if it was not for a diving save from Shahinlal Meloly to prevent Beto.
In the 24th minute, Chinta Chandrasekhar’s long throw found Sabeeth who quickly transferred the ball to Jimshad who had Murugappan with space. Murugappan took a shot from the edge of the box, but this time too, the finish let down Viva. In the 32nd minute, Sabeeth ghosted past the experienced Dempo defender Mahesh Gawli and released Anil Kumar on the left. Anil crossed the ball to Sabeeth who played a dummy to gift the ball to Karma who missed the target.
The chances were coming thick and fast for the home team. This time, Pradeep released Sabeeth free of the defense. The striker crossed the ball into the penalty area with a defender advancing to collect he ball. Karma who was at the end of the cross couldn’t connect his shot into the open goal.
In the second half, Armando Colaco’s side came out in search of goals. Their movements were quick and precise and the home team had no answer for their brilliance.
The first goal came from Beto. Charles Dzisah fouled Climax Lawrence 30 yards from the goal and the referee was quick to give the free kick in favour of the Goans in the 70th minute. Beto produced an excellent kick from 30 yards that hit the crossbar and went in off the diving goalkeeper.
Viva Kerala tried to respond, but the Dempo defence stayed solid.
Dempo doubled the lead through Ranti Martins Soleye in the 77th minute. The Nigerian received the assist from Joaquim Abranches who had just come on to the field as a substitute. The cross met Ranti just outside the box and he didn’t wait to try a shot on goal. His effort bulleted into the back of the post.
Despite much hype surrounding Indian international N P Pradeep’s debut for Viva Kerala, the player had a comparatively uneventful match and glimpses of his talents were only to be seen when he played the role of the set piece taker. Along with Pradeep, Anil Kumar also had an off day today finding it hard to match the pace of the game.
