MEG enter title clash
DNA Correspondent. Bangalore
The second minute goal Madras Engineering Group struck through Ramu in the second minute was something Karnataka State Police would have found very difficult to digest.
That goal set the tone for the Army team's 2-1 victory in the first semifinal of the Puttaiah Memorial Football Tournament for Super Division teams at the Bangalore Football Stadium here on Friday.
Skipper BV Pradeep struck the equaliser for KSP in the 29th minute and MEG earned the match-winner in the 80th minute through Hmar.
Though the match did not rise to any great heights, the opening goal perhaps gave all the excitement the MEG supporters wanted. With just about 45 seconds gone from the start, KSP's Girish touched the ball with his hand and referee Ashok pointed to the spot. Ramu's kick was spot on and it put the Army team ahead in the second minute of what was looking like an exciting encounter.
The reaction from KSP was not as urgent as one might have expected. There were a couple of tries - like in the 23rd minute when Sampath Kumar shot at the goal but the ball went too high and Srinath's kick went just above the crossbar a minute later - but the equaliser remained elusive.
Five minutes later, KSP were back in contention after Pradeep struck. It was an opportunistic goal from the skipper. Following a cross from Sampath Kumar, Pradeep charged forward and, after avoiding a surge from MEG goalkeeper Malay Paul, slotted the ball in.
MEG started the second half with gusto and there were several close calls for KSP as the former went on a rampage. First, it was Suraj Singh in the 58th minute and his header saw the ball missing the goal by a whisker. Then Ajiraj's casual lob almost landed the ball into the goal net.
The closest chance MEG missed was in the 78th minute. Suraj Singh sent a diagonal shot from the right flank. KSP custodian Nagendra managed to get a hand to it but could not collect the ball. KSP were lucky as the ball hit the far post and came back.
After so many close calls, the Army team finally succeeded in getting the winning goal. Hmar collected the ball from a Suraj cross, chested it and shot home to ensure his team's place in the final.
The second semifinal will be played on Saturday between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Bharat Earth Movers Limited. The gate collection for the match will be donated to the Chief Minister's flood relief fund.

Tag: MINUTE, GOAL, BALL, MEG, KSP, STRUCK, PRADEEP, SURAJ, SHOT, ARMY, SURAJ SINGH, SAMPATH KUMAR, CLOSE CALLS, ARMY TEAM, EQUALISER, SINGH, HAND, SKIPPER, MISSING GOAL A,