MALAPPURAM: In yet another comeback win, Thrissur Sree Kerala Varma College routed Kondotty EMEA College 3-2 in the sixth edition of TNIE Goal, the All-Kerala Inter-Collegiate Football Tournament, held at the Malappuram District Sports Council Stadium, Kottapadi, on Tuesday.
EMEA College got off to a dream start, going up three minutes into the game with Ramees skipping past his challengers and effortlessly burying the ball into the bottom left corner of the post. A right-footed finish by Rohith from Lalkrishna’s neat cross gave Kerala Varma the equaliser, before he put his side firmly in charge with an elegant floated ball over the EMEA goalkeeper.
Fahad T C’s failed clearance of Babblesilvery Gireesh’s shot within the six-yard box put the ball into his own net and the game literally went into ‘bed minutes’ from half time. Later, EMEA College did reduce the deficit when Vishnu P finished a fine move started by Mohammed Fayiz P and Ajmal Babu (forwards). But, it was a mere consolation. Kerala Varma College, who were unceremoniously dumped on their backside in the first round in the previous year, made their intention clear as they fought back into the game, after going a goal down within two minutes of the first half.
The two-time TNIE Goal champions started stringing passes together, slowly working from their own half and creating a slew of half chances even as EMEA College laboured to defend their one goal advantage. The equaliser came 15 minutes later. Lalkrishna made a mazy run through the right flank and squared the ball for Rohith to bundle home with his right foot. Just before the equaliser, Kerala Varma’s Harikrishna A U tested the woodwork twice. Lalkrishna turned the provider again, sending Rohith on target with a chipped ball. The Kerala Varma striker sold his marker a dummy before floating the ball cleverly over EMA custodian Mohammed Shabeeb Jan.